Joint Program Contract Announced At MAKS 2019

Russia and China will work together to develop a heavy-lift helicopter, the two countries announced at the 2019 Russian International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS) in Zhukovsky, near Moscow. The aircraft could be purposed for both military and civilian use.

Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov and Miao Wei, China's Minister of Industry and Information Technology held a joint news conference at the China Pavilion Wednesday. "For the next step, the Chinese government will accelerate the progress for a project approval and finish it as soon as possible, so the project can officially start," Miao said.

The Global Times reports that the helicopter will be and "Advanced Heavy Lift" aircraft in the 40-ton class. It should be able to lift about 15 tons, have a range of 340 nautical miles and a top speed of about 162 knots.

The program has reportedly been in the works for several years. The Russian news agency Tass reported earlier this year that Rostec was planning to sign the "contract of the century" with China for the new helicopter after four years of talks.

No mention was made of the number of aircraft to be built in China at the Wednesday news conference, though in 2017, the number 200 was mentioned by Viktor Kladov, a Rostec representative, in a report published by RT.

Under the contract announced Wednesday, China will be responsible for the design and production of the helicopter, while Russia will be a technical partner, according to the report.

(Image courtesy of Chinese state media)

FMI: Source report