Sharjah's Airfreight Aviation takes 20 more Mi-171 helicopters

(picture (c) Suradnik)

Airfreight Aviation, is creating a regional service centre for Russian-made helicopters operated in the Middle East, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

The Mi-171 helicopters in transport configuration will be delivered to the customer in 2010.

The Middle East is a blooming market for the Russian Helicopters joint venture. Manufacturing enterprises within its framework have signed contracts with the Sharjah operator for a total of 70 Mi-171s over the past two years.  A new joint venture between Russian Helicopters and Airfreight Aviation Ltd. will handle service and maintenance.

"This contract has greatly boosted our presence in the region," said Andrei Shibitov, Russian Helicopters chief executive. "Our next step is to establish a joint service and maintenance venture for Russian-made helicopters. Russian Helicopters is aiming at moving from selling its products proper to selling the entire lifecycle of its products."

The Mi-171 has a proven track record in countries with difficult operational environments. It is very reliable and easy to maintain. This makes it particularly attractive for operators in the areas like the Middle East, where more than 100 Mi-171s are already successfully employed.

Russian Helicopters is an affiliated company of UIC Oboronprom and is the managing body of helicopter manufacturers such as Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, Kamov, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Kazan Helicopters, Rostvertol, Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company, Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, Vpered Moscow Machine-Building Plant, Stupino Machine Production Plant, Reductor-PM and Helicopter Service Company (VSK).

UIC Oboronprom is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. Its main tasks include helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters managing company), engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company), air defence systems and complex electronic systems.