On the sidelines of Airshow China 2018, Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) and China’s United Aviation Technology negotiated launch of a helicopters maintenance/repair center in Shenzhen. A contract is expected to be made by the yearend, RH’s website reported.
The 2016 framework agreement between the two companies envisaged creating a maintenance/repair center for Russian Ka-32A11VS and Mi-171 and upgrading the maintenance, repair and overhaul base in Tianjin.
“Currently, RH and UAT are drafting a general contract on setting a maintenance/repair center for Ka-32А11VC and Mi-171 helicopters in Shenzhen and a contract on technical audit at the aircraft maintenance and repair base in Tianjin,” Andrey Boginsky, Russian Helicopters CEO, said.
As China has a large fleet of Russian helicopters, it is interested in prompt opening of authorized local maintenance and repair centers for servicing helicopters throughout their life cycle.
“China is one of the largest operators of Russian-made helicopters, the number of registered Russian aircraft is over 300 units. Mi-8/17 and Ka-32A11BC helicopters are successfully operated throughout the PRC, in particular, in regions with difficult terrain and harsh climate conditions,” Anatoly Serdyukov, industrial director of the aviation cluster of Rostec, said. “The center for maintenance and repair of Ka-32A11BC and Mi-171 helicopters in Shenzhen is an essential infrastructure project that will increase the competitiveness and export potential of our helicopter technology,” he added.