I have recently found very interesting article about Russian helicopters and possible problems with their production.
It was in russian language that is why only google translation. Notice that this article was prepared by russian journalists (rosbalt).
Almost a third of the aircraft fleet of the USSR were winged machines made at Ukrainian plants. Among them both humble toilers fields An-2, and passenger liners AN-24, AN-10 and AN-12 transports and aircraft giant An-22 "Antaeus" and AN-225 "Mriya" AN-124 " Ruslan ". Later, the Russian fleet joined the AN-3, AN-148 and AN-158. A Ukrainian engines were almost all helicopters established design bureaus Kamov and Mil.And after the collapse of the Soviet Union very few people worried that the Russian aviation industry is heavily dependent on supplies from the neighboring country, the policy of the authorities is not always even that time could be described as friendly. The problems started recently, and primarily they touched supplies engines for Russian helicopters and combat and military transport aircraft.Recall that in the Soviet Ukraine there were almost three and a half thousand enterprises related to the military-industrial complex. Now there are only 143. However, this including plants that provide, for example, without much exaggeration, normal and smooth functioning of the Russian aviation industry. List them large enough. We say that only Kiev "Serial Plant" Antonov "and" Arsenal ", and Zaporizhya" Motor Sich ". Without the supply of equipment and components of the enterprises of the Russian" defense industry "is not enough. Today, experts note a special, if not critical dependence on deliveries of Russian helicopter production plant mentioned "Motor Sich".This factory was founded in 1907, since 1921 it produces aircraft engines. In Soviet times, the company was called "motor plant number 29". Today, "Motor Sich" is the world's leading enterprise for the production of aircraft engines, releasing them as much as 55 to 61 kinds of types of aircraft. And practically all Russian-made helicopters, including all military and military transport rotorcraft today are equipped with engines, created by Zaporizhzhya machine builders.The plant "Motor Sich" produces engines for the Russian Mi-8, Mi-171, Mi-24, Mi-35, Mi-26, Mi-28, Ka-27, Ka-29, Ka-32, Ka-50 The Ka-52. In addition, it also made many engines for civil aircraft, including the no longer released, but in service: IL-18, AN-12, AN-24, AN-26, AN-30, AN-32, AN -72, AN-74, AN-124, AN-140, AN-148, Be-12, Be-200, Yak-40, Yak-42.The main consumers of the plant in the Russian Federation are the enterprises of the holding "Helicopters of Russia" - "Rostvertol" JSC "Klimov", as well as the aircraft manufacturing plant JSC "VASO", OAO "TNTK them. Beriev", JSC "Aviacor" - Aviation Plant ".In 2011, "Motor-Sich" has signed a contract with JSC "Helicopters of Russia" in the amount of half a billion dollars. The contract provides for an annual supply of 270 engines. The agreement was designed for five years, so every year the plant has been supplying products to Russia at $ 300 million. Overall, the proportion of factory engines on the Russian market was about 30 percent.Many experts today believe that at least until 2018, a real alternative to Zaporozhye aircraft engines will not be able to find - too long chain is cooperation between enterprises and seemed very reliable connection between them. Therefore, the decision of the Ukrainian government to suspend the supply of military products in Russia can be very painful for the Russian aircraft industry. Among the experts initially passed around the view that the domestic aviation industry expects something like a collapse in the event of termination of Ukrainian supplies. They predict even a temporary suspension of production of Russian helicopters.It is also true opinion that the gap of economic ties detrimental impact on the aviation industry of Ukraine itself. For example, having lost the market, Zaporozhye mechanical engineers may face the urgent need to reorient the implementation of its product areas. To solve this problem will not be easy. In 2013, "Motor-Sich" sent to Russia seventy percent of everything produced. It is understood that in the event of a complete cessation of supplies engines for Russian businesses Ukrainian aircraft manufacturers will be in a quandary. Production can stop it in Zaporozhye, and not in Russia.However, the authorities in Kiev to categorically state that the supply of helicopter engines in Russia is strictly prohibited - since last year. The then Minister of Finance of Ukraine Oleksandr Shlapak even said that if the "Motor Sich" still will sell engines to Russia, his head will be immediately arrested. However, company officials continued to publicly insist on maintaining cooperation with the "aggressor country," stressing that the "Motor Sich" is a private enterprise, so a direct impact on a government policy instruments should be limited. The argument is, frankly, a moot point.Recently, the former CEO and current honorary president of "Motor Sich", Doctor of Technical Sciences and academician of AES of Ukraine Vyacheslav Boguslayev expressed confidence that cooperation with Russia will continue, as it depends on the question of revenue growth in Ukraine and to preserve jobs. He recalled that the "Motor Sich" an annual fee to the treasury billion hryvnia taxes. Maybe he knows more than the other, and, maybe, just so, and lobbying the interests of Ukrainian engine builders.According to unofficial data, motorsichevskie engines still continued to arrive in Russia until the end of 2014. There are indications that supply continued into the beginning of 2015. On the state of affairs at the moment there is no reliable information.According to the analyst of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST), the chief editor of the magazine "Arms Export" Andrei Frolov, as today Russia's dependence on Ukraine in the supply of helicopter engines almost one hundred percent in a year and a half from the Russian Federation may have serious problems with the production of new aircrafts . The expert believes that Ukrainian manufacturers and their Russian partners can start looking for "loopholes." For example, as an option - Ukraine will supply engines to Belarus or Kazakhstan, and they will then re-export them to Russia.However, in the Russian Federation we have already begun to address the issue of import substitution in this area. The basic enterprise for production of helicopter engines of St. Petersburg will be "Klimov". Vladislav Masalov, CEO of "UK" the United dvigatelnostroitelnaya Corporation "(" Klimov "is a UEC), he argues that the volume of production of 500 units per year will be to get out by the end of 2015. At the same time, according to Mr. Masalova, the cost of one helicopter engine, produced in Russia will be about 25 million rubles, which at the current rate would be slightly more than 450 thousand dollars. Consequently, the engine will be in Russia more than two times cheaper than Ukrainian. Fully master the manufacture of products, similar to Ukrainian production, the Russians going for eight - ten years.However, perhaps things are not so rosy. Experts find it difficult to assess the feasibility of the plant managers forecast "Klimov", and some believe the achievement of performance sounded soon unfeasible. The plant in St. Petersburg, according to expert estimates, in its present state can not produce more than fifty helicopter engines per year. While the volume of helicopters in Russia is about three hundred a year, well, themselves and all engines need three times as much.However, despite all the doubts, it is certain that the plant "Klimov" already last year started the reorganization of production in order to increase engine production tenfold. Source "Rosbalt" in the factory on condition of anonymity said that the factory workers helping an impressive team of specialists from the Ukrainian Zaporozhye.So cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry is continuing, although at a different level. But in any case - the loss already incurred and will incur both sides, at the risk of losing its position in the global aviation industry, in which the Russians and their Ukrainian partners have played a significant role.
these are meant for counter insurgency. Wont be a major threat in modern warfare against and modern organized army moving with decent SAM support. For that we go for Zulu and Z-10. The mi-35 is an assault helicopter that we badly need, can carry our SSG troops into battle field, stay there to provide air support and then carry our men back. I hope PAA also goes for these choppers after the current deal of 4 (reportedly for ANF) and when PAA goes for this they should try and buy around 20 24 helicopters as that will really transform our SSG capabilities to a new level.
