M’sia to take delivery of 15 Russian helicopters in three years

SEPANG: Moscow- basedRussian Helicopters is looking at delivering up to 15 helicopters to Malaysia in the next three years, simultaneously building its market share domestically from two to four per cent going forward.

Its director- general, Andrew Boginsky, said Malaysian state authorities, alongside other South East Asian ( SEA) countries have demonstrated genuine interest in the company’s helicopters.

“Malaysia had always been the company’s traditional partner, especially for Russian machineries and vehicles,” he told reporters after launching two new helicopter models, the Mi-171A2 and Ansat here yesterday.

Ansat is a light two- engine multi-purpose helicopter which has been certified for operation in hot climates and may be used for cargo and passenger transportation, observations, search and rescue operations, fire- fighting work and medical and evacuation tasks.

The Mi-171A2 is a medium multi- purpose helicopter which is efficiently and safely

Malaysia had always been the company’s traditional partner, especially for Russian machineries and vehicles.

operated during the day and night in highlands, at low and high temperatures, at increased humidity and above water surface.

Asked to elaborate on Russian Helicopters’ plans in the domestic market, he added that the company was open to collaboration with local partners, especially in the area of maintenance, repair and overhaul ( MRO) but it would depend on the situation and the market needs.

Malaysia was the last leg of the Russian Helicopters’ demonstration tour across Asia, which started in Zhuhai, China, followed by Hanoi ( Vietnam), Phnom Penh ( Cambodia), and Bangkok ( Thailand).

Trade between Malaysia and Russia stood at US$ 2.2 billion, as at Dec 2017, of which 55 per cent accounted for oil and gas related products, 20 per cent (fertilisers) and the balance were consumer goods as well as electronic components.

As for the current year, trade between both countries saw a significant increase at over 60 per cent in the first eight months.

In the SEA market, the company aimed to deliver between 70 helicopters and 80 helicopters in three years, adding to the current 200 helicopters supplied in the region.

“We see the market share improving from the current two per cent to between five and seven per cent in the next five to seven years.

“Demand for helicopters would be driven by emergency medical services ( EMS) and search and rescue missions,” he added.

Boginsky added that demand for civilian helicopters in SEA may amount to 420 helicopters in the next 10 years, thus the demo tour was part of Russian Helicopters’ strategy to carve out a market for themselves. — Bernama

Andrew Boginsky, Russian Helicopters director-general