OREANDA-NEWS. Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec, has displayed its military helicopters at the Singapore Airshow 2014 aerospace and defence exhibition during a conference for military helicopter operators entitled Russian military helicopters and new technological developments: Ka-52 Alligator, Mi-35M and Mi-8/17, held jointly with Rosoboronexport.

“Today Russian Helicopters offers a wide range of military helicopters, which are praised world over for their reliability, effectiveness, and high combat resilience,” Russian Helicopters CEO Alexander Mikheev said. “It was at Singapore Airshow 2014, that we held our first conference on military helicopters for international customers, and showed our partners the latest developments in this area.”

At the conference, operators had the chance to learn more about military helicopters in the Mi-8/17 series (Mi-17V-5 and Mi-171Sh) and the Mi-35M. Mi-8/17M helicopters are used extensively across the world by the armed forces of dozens of countries, and are operated in diverse climatic conditions. The Mi-17V-5 and the Mi-171Sh combat and transport helicopters are offered with a wide range of additional equipment. Modifications of these helicopters are created factoring in an analysis of their use in combat and experience of operation in complex and emergency situations.

The Mi-35M multirole attack helicopter is based on the legendary Mi-24, and incorporates the latest avionics and finest developments in helicopter production. It has been modernised to reduce its weight, improve manoeuvrability, make it less audible and reduce maintenance costs. The Mi-35M is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and can operate around the clock and in all weather conditions. Its onboard systems offer highly accurate navigation, low altitude piloting, and the completion of takeoff and landing in any terrain. It is designed to destroy armoured vehicles, provide fire support for ground forces, land paratroops, evacuate the wounded and carry cargoes. The helicopter is supplied to the air forces of Russia, Venezuela, Brazil and Azerbaijan.

The new generation Ka-52 Alligator scout and reconnaissance helicopter also featured at the conference. The international community first had a chance to see this helicopter in summer 2013 at the Le Bourget airshow in France, where it successfully completed its flight demonstration programme. The Ka-52 Alligator is designed to destroy tanks, armoured and non-armoured ground targets, and enemy troops and helicopters both on the front line and in tactical reserves, around the clock in any weather conditions. The Ka-52 can provide target acquisition and designation for helicopter teams and ground troop command and control centres. It can also provide fire support for troop landings, fly routine patrols and escort military convoys. It offers outstanding crew protection: the cabin is fully armoured, and the helicopter is equipped with signature control devices, electronic and active countermeasure systems. The pilots can eject in an emergency: the Ka-52 Alligator is the only helicopter in the world equipped with crew ejection systems.

Russian-made helicopters deliveries are increasing year-on-year. According to SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) data, in 2012 Russian Helicopters sold USD 3.52 billion-worth of military products, boosting the company from 35th to 25th place in the global ranking of defence companies. The previous year this figure was USD 2.74 billion. In a ranking of international defence companies for 2012 produced by the authoritative US publication Defense News, Russian Helicopters' revenues in the military helicopter segment grew 32%, taking the company up to 24th position from 39th in 2011. Russian-made military helicopters are supplied to external markets under Rosoboronexport contracts.