Rosoboronexport and Russian Helicopters, subsidiaries of Rostec State Corporation, have signed a contract to manufacture and supply a batch of upgraded Mi-171E helicopters to a foreign customer. The machines have uprated powerplants, improved avionics, and increased load-carrying capacity.
The contract provides for the export delivery of the latest upgraded Mi-171E helicopters manufactured by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, part of Russian Helicopters Holding Company.
"Our equipment is distinguished by unique design solutions, proven effectiveness and high reliability. With such a set of qualities, Russian helicopters are in demand in the global market, and demand for them remains high even in the current geopolitical situation. Rosoboronexport's order book for Russian Helicopters products now exceeds 200 billion rubles and will grow in the coming years," said Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov.
Mi-17 type helicopters are successfully employed in high altitude conditions in Latin American countries, in particular, in police operations against drug trafficking. There is experience of their use in arctic conditions, in the tropical climate of the Asia-Pacific region and in African countries.
"In 2022, the sales of Russian helicopters supplies to foreign customers through Rosoboronexport have exceeded 30 billion rubles. Most of the exported helicopters were manufactured at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant whose share in Rosoboronexport's order book is currently over 80 billion rubles," said Rosoboronexport General Director Alexander Mikheev. – “Due to strong support from the government and stable receipts from foreign customers, the plant’s production facilities fully meet modern world requirements and its technological capabilities are growing and developing. This makes it possible to meet market demands for production of upgraded high-tech Mi-171Sh and Mi-171E helicopters, which are leaders in their class. The plan for export deliveries of these machines in the near term exceeds 100 units".
The upgraded Mi-171E helicopters feature an improved powerplant consisting of two VK-2500PS-03 engines. The engines offer higher power and longer service life and are equipped with a FADEC-type digital control system.
"The rotor system has undergone a major upgrade, which includes composite main rotor blades, X-shaped tail rotor with composite blades, new swash plate and reinforced transmission. The helicopter has a more aerodynamically efficient stabilizer, improved tail rotor pylon and it is now possible to install both starboard and portside sliding doors. Maximum external sling payload has been increased by 20% to 5000 kg. A state-of-the-art avionics suite provides round-the-clock use of the helicopter in any weather," said Alexey Kozlov, General Director of Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.