OREANDA-NEWS. October 2, 2012. Russian Helicopters, part of state defence holding Oboronprom and a leading global designer and manufacturer helicopters, is pleased to offer customers in the CIS and Europe an advanced after-sales service system built on integrated logistical support throughout the helicopter life cycle. After-sales support is offered through a single centre, Helicopter Service Company, a Russian Helicopters company.

Russian Helicopters will unveil its new after-sales service system at the Aviasvit-XXI air show, taking place in the Ukrainian capital Kiev fr om 27 September to 1 October. During the show, the company will hold a conference dedicated to its new approach to after-sales service for Russian-built helicopters, and will discuss its new procedures for certifying repair companies and service centres. The new procedures will come into force for all of Russian Helicopters’ partners along with a new certification system that is expected to be introduced by the end of the year.

Russian Helicopters plans to expand the range of services it offers in repairing, upgrading and modifying helicopters and helicopter components. Maintenance and after-sales service of Russian-made helicopters will be easier and more efficient thanks to the broad-based introduction of IT into customer service. Helicopter operators or authorised service companies will be able to order spare parts over the Internet. The introduction of electronic documentation for various helicopter models will also make life easier for operators of Russian-built helicopters.

The CIS and Europe are not the only regions wh ere Russian Helicopters is diversifying its service support. At the recent Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in South Africa, Russian Helicopters signed a Teaming Agreement with Denel Aviation to create a servicing hub for Russian-made military and commercial helicopters in Sub-Saharan Africa (similar centres are already operational in the EU, CIS, Asia and South America). Under the partnership, Denel Aviation will perform routine maintenance services for military and commercial models produced by Russian Helicopters, which are widely used in Sub-Saharan Africa. The range of after-sales services offered will be gradually expanded, and the South African company will in future be able to undertake complete overhauls of Russian-built helicopters and their components. Russian Helicopters will provide comprehensive support for Denel Aviation.

Bringing new models like the Ka-62, Mi-171A2, Mi-38 and Ansat to the international market requires a developed after-sales service system, which Russian Helicopters is currently developing. As well as the new models, Russian-made helicopters from the Mi-8/17, Mi-2 and Ka-32 families and others are widely used around the world, and require service and maintenance by qualified technicians. Helicopter Service Company is able to provide these services. Today, the system for extending or confirming the service life of Russian helicopters is the same in all countries.

Separately, the new after-sales service system will help to tackle the problem of counterfeit production. The company’s enterprises are introducing an advanced centralised accounting system for all machines and components delivered to market.