OREANDA-NEWS. Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Rostec State Corporation, and Aircraft Repair Plant No. 405 (ARP 405), which maintains and services Russian-built helicopters in Central Asia, today signed a cooperation memorandum on servicing Russian-built Kamov helicopters at the Russian and Kazakh Helicopter Project regional forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The memorandum aims to raise the standard of after-sales service of Kamovhelicopters in Kazakhstan. ARP 405 works with Russian Helicopters' Kamov Design Bureau on service and maintenance, as well as Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, which manufactures Ka-32A11BC and Ka-226T helicopters.

The multi-role coaxial Ka-32A11BC can operate in all climates and weather conditions. Manufactured for the Kazakhstan Emergencies Ministry for emergency medical, rescue and fire-fighting operations, it is equipped with medical units and horizontal water guns. Its unique characteristics make the Ka-32A11BC ideal for emergency and relief work during natural and industrial disasters.

Russian Helicopters also offers another coaxial helicopter to operators in Kazakhstan - the light, multi-role Ka-226T. In June 2013, the Ka-226T air ambulance version was successfully demonstrated to potential buyers including representatives of the airborne divisions of the Emergencies Ministry, Interior Ministry, Health Ministry, law-enforcement and environmental agencies, as well as commercial operators. Currently, Russian Helicopters and ARP 405 are working on setting up a joint venture to assemble Ka-226T helicopters in Kazakhstan.

One of Russian Helicopters' key strategies is to provide a high level of service and aftersales support. Its service policy aims to provide operators with easy access to service and repairs to Russian-made helicopters at any time during their operation.

ARP 405 is Russian Helicopters' key partner in Kazakhstan, servicing Mi-8/17 series helicopters. In 2009 the companies signed an agreement on the general partnership principles concerning service and repairs to Russian helicopters. By including a new option - servicing helicopters with coaxial rotors - ARP 405 will expand its business, while Russian Helicopters will give the helicopters developed by Kamov Design Bureau an additional competitive advantage on the Kazakh market.

The development strategy for service and aftersales support includes setting up service centres in different parts of the country. The main aim is to support operators of Russian-made helicopters in Russian Helicopters' key regions.