OREANDA-NEWS. May 18, 2012. Helicopter Service Company, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters, part of Russian state defense industry holding Oboronprom, today signed a partnership agreement with Russian helicopter operator PANH Helicopters. Under the agreement, the companies will expand collaboration on after-sales service and logistical support for Russian-made helicopters.

"This is the first such partnership agreement that we have signed, but we plan to expand our network of partners in various regions of Russia and abroad," said Artur Shtankov, Managing Director of Helicopter Service Company. "We will therefore be able to offer our services across a wider range of geographies, providing after-sales service and logistical support to Russian-made helicopters."

PANH, which has its own technical support service for Mi-2, Mi-8, Mi-26 and Ka-32 helicopters in southern Russia, as well as external maintenance line stations in Murmansk, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, will share information with Helicopter Service Company on the condition and utilisation of its fleet of helicopters and those of its technical support clients. This will enable Helicopter Service Company to assess the needs of helicopter companies for spare parts and ensure they are available when needed. As a partner of Helicopter Service Company, PANH will have the right to priority supplies of spare parts at a fixed price, and so will be able to ensure uninterrupted operation not only of its own helicopters but also those of its clients.

PANH will therefore become a part of the integrated logistical support system created by Helicopter Service Company and Russian Helicopters. This system also includes a 24-hour call centre for helicopter operators, a specialist website and spare parts warehouse. Helicopter Service Company plans to create a product portfolio and single pricing scheme for helicopter spare parts.