The Russian Helicopters holding company plans to manufacture approximately 200 helicopters this year, the company’s CEO Alexander Mikheev said Wednesday.
“Overall, in 2016 we have a common production program of 200 helicopters,” Mikheev told reporters, without elaborating on production figures the previous year.
The 2016 estimate includes both Russian state defense orders and export-oriented production.
Furthermore, Russia will deliver 12 helicopters equipped with the advanced President-S onboard defense system (ODS) to foreign customers by end of year, the Russian Helicopters holding added.
“The Russian Helicopters holding (part of Rostec Corporation) will equip export versions of multipurpose Mi-171Sh and Mi-17-V5 helicopters, heavy transport Mi-26T2 and attack Mi-28NE and Ka-52 helicopters with the advanced President-S onboard defense systems…. Already in 2016, 12 helicopters to be supplied to foreign customers will be equipped with the President-S systems,” the statement reads.
The holding added that these systems would make Russian-made helicopters unreachable to MANPADS and air-to-air missiles, as the tests confirmed.
The ODS is designed to protect planes and helicopters from being hit by missiles, air defense and anti-aircraft artillery. It allows detecting and tracking incoming rockets, as well as repelling them by directing laser rays at their multispectral optical seekers or creating radio jamming.
Russian Helicopters is a leading player in the global helicopter industry and one of the few companies worldwide with the capability to design, manufacture, service and test modern civilian and military helicopters, according to a statement on the company's website.
Russian Helicopters’ earnings in 2014, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), increased by 22.8% with 271 helicopters delivered.
