OREANDA-NEWS. April 15, 2011. Russian Helicopters, the helicopter industry holding and a part of UIC Oboronprom, have signed a number of contracts with Brazilian helicopter operators. They were signed at the 8th Latin America Aero & Defence exhibition LAAD 2011, held on 12-15 April in the Brazilian Rio de Janeiro. Russian Helicopters showcased its newest rotorcraft for the Brazilian market in hall 4 at booth 16.

Ў°We are happy to offer our Brazilian partners Russian rotorcraft built with possible operation in the South American region in mind, Russian Helicopters CEO Dmitry Petrov said just before the exhibition opened. We hope they appraise the advantages of using the Russian Mi-171A1, Ka-32A11BC, Mi-34C1 in the high temperature and humidity conditions. We also keep in mind the growing needs of the Brazilian market in helicopters of various classes and modifications and are ready to develop the delivery and aftersale support systems for Russian rotorcraft within our partnerships.

Russian Helicopters and the Brazilian investment group Qualy Group Brasil have signed a Cooperation Agreement for the promotion of the Mi-34C1 helicopter pursuant to a dealership agreement. The document provides for the possible delivery of 150 new light Russian Mi-34C1 helicopters before 2023. Qualy representatives think the new light Mi-34C1 may prove interesting to commercial companies and state operators, including those taking part in the preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016 in Brazil.

Russian Helicopters experts believe that the Mi-34C1 will also become a popular sports helicopter. Besides helicopter sports, the Mi-34C1 can be used for corporate and private transportation, initial flight training, surveillance – from eco-control and integrity monitoring to police functions.

Russian Helicopters and Qualy Group Brasil are also planning to create a maintenance, logistics, and training centre for the Brazilian fleet of Mi-34C1 helicopters.

Another Agreement was signed with the Brazilian commercial helicopter operator Atlas Taxi Aereo (a subsidiary of Qualy Group Brasil) for the creation of a Mi-171A1 support centre in Brazil. Such a centre will help improve the airworthiness of Russian rotorcraft in Brazil and extend their maximum flight hours without overhaul in accordance with the requirements to rotorcraft that are applied by major Brazilian companies, including the state oil and gas giant Petrobras.

Besides, another Agreement has been signed with the helicopter operator Helipark Taxi Aereo to create a support centre for the medium multi-role Ka-32A11BC helicopters. Russian Helicopters experts think that the availability of service and support centres in the country will help provide full-scale support for the operations of Russian rotorcraft that have been delivered or will be delivered under future contracts.

A very important step underlining the Russian Helicopters policy in Latin America was taken when the holding company started a dialogue with Brazilian consulting company Logitec Consultoria em Logistica Ltda providing for cooperation in the promotion of Russian rotorcraft on the Brazilian market. This cooperation is aimed at increasing the presence of Russian rotorcraft on the Brazilian market.

Earlier, in November 2010, the Russian multi-role Mi-171A1 with the Brasilian company Atlas Taxi Aereo won the tender of Brazil state oil company Petrobras to operate in the Amazon Basin. Later, in December 2010 a contract was signed with Helipark Taxi Aereo for multifunctional Ka-32A11BC delivery. Deliveries to Brazil of the first batch of Mi-171A1 comprising two transport helicopters and the Ka-32A11BC are scheduled for 2011.

Besides, Russian Mi-35M combat helicopters manufactured by Rostvertol, a part of the Russian Helicopters holding, are being shipped to Brazil pursuant to a contract signed y FSUE Rosoboronexport.