Three Companies Working On Core Joint Projects

Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec, AgustaWestland, and Turbomeca have agreed to continue working together on core joint projects. The agreements were reached during a visit by a Russian Helicopters delegation headed by CEO Alexander Mikheev to AgustaWestland and Turbomeca's respective production facilities in Italy and France.

"Production of advanced high-tech helicopters has long been a truly global industry," Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev said. "Our goal of creating a modern, competitive and fast-growing helicopter sector demands active international engagement. Working closely with partners such as AgustaWestland and Turbomeca and other sector leaders helps us to improve the quality of our product and strengthen our position on the global market."
 
Alexander Mikheev this month led a Russian Helicopters delegation to AgustaWestland's headquarters at Cascina Costa di Samarate, where a meeting was held with Daniele Romiti, CEO of the Italian company, to discuss current projects and the potential for future collaborations. The companies are already successfully working together on assembling the AW139 in Russia at HeliVert, a joint venture at the National Helicopter Development Centre in Tomilino near Moscow. Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland are also working on the creation of a new 2.5-metric-ton class single-engine helicopter.
 
"Hosting Alexander Mikheev at AgustaWestland was a valuable chance to introduce him to a range of distinguished capabilities, offering him a unique, comprehensive insight of the company and an extensive opportunity to discuss about our current joint plans," said Daniele Romiti, CEO of AgustaWestland. "We are confident this visit will further reinforce the already strong perception at Russian Helicopters of AgustaWestland as a highly competitive, reliable industrial partner to meet new business opportunities in the future, leveraging on what we've been able to build together in recent years."
 
The Russian delegation visited AgustaWestland's Transmission Center of Excellence, Avionics Aviation and Experimental Operations, as well as the final assembly line at Vergiate. The delegation also visited the Training Academy base in Sesto Calende for a briefing on the Italian company's experience of pilot training. Russian Helicopters is creating its own helicopter academy at the National Helicopter Development Center in Tomilino using the latest training techniques and international methods.
 
Russian Helicopters representatives also visited the headquarters of another key partner, Turbomeca, in Bordes, near Pau in south-west France. Alexander Mikheev and the Russian delegation met with Turbomeca CEO Oliver Andries and other members of the senior management team to discuss current joint projects and prospects for expanding collaboration in future. They also visited Turbomeca's production facilities, where they were briefed on the latest technologies in serial production of modern aerospace engines.

"Turbomeca is proud to be on-board the Ka-226T and Ka-62 helicopters," said Turbomeca CEO Olivier Andries. "These two projects are very important for us because we believe they could play a major role on their respective markets. Working together on the Ka-226T and Ka-62 paves the way for future opportunities on other platforms."
 
Russian Helicopters and Turbomeca are continuing to expand their collaboration. One important landmark in August 2013 was the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing a new maintenance center for Ka-226T and Ka-62 engines in Russia. Under the agreement Russian Helicopters will provide Level 1 and 2 maintenance on Turbomeca engines flown by Russian military and state-owned helicopter operators. The agreement covers Arrius 2G1 and Ardiden 3G engines, which are used on the Ka-226T and Ka-62, respectively.
 
The visit to key international partners is the latest step in Russian Helicopters' policy of deepening the integration of Russia's helicopter industry into the global economy. The company aims to accommodate the requirements of customers from dozens of countries around the world where Russian-built helicopters are delivered. Modern Russian helicopters are fitted with components and systems produced using the latest technologies and to the highest global quality standards.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com