ZAPORIZHZHIA (Ukraine). Sept 13 (Interfax-AVN) - Transferring helicopter engine production from Ukraine to Russia is not economically expedient, Motor Sich President Vyacheslav Boguslaev says.
"The statement that Russia will build a plant to produce 400 helicopter engines is nothing but utopia for the only reason that manufacturing engines, produced elsewhere for a long time, at a new facility by new people will involve huge expenditures," Boguslaev told Interfax-AVN.
Given the current needs of the Russian Air Force, it is not necessary to establish any new production facilities, he said. "The Russian Air Force has not procured a single helicopter this year. As far as we know, it plans to purchase ten helicopters next year. It is ridiculous to build a whole plant to manufacture 20 engines," Boguslaev said.
Since the Russian Air Force wants Russian helicopters to be powered by engines, assembled in Russia, it would be wiser to start assembling them at the St. Petersburg-based Klimov Plant, rather than construct a new plant.
The Klimov company assembles engines for presidential helicopters, Boguslaev said. "Motor Sich manufactures certain parts for such engines, the military accept and test them in St. Petersburg. If presidential helicopters are fitted with such engines, why does it not suit the Russian Air Force?" he said.
Motor Sich and Klimov are negotiating teaming up in helicopter projects. The idea is supported by the UAC management.
"If the Russian Defense Ministry wants helicopter engines to be assembled in Russia, we are ready to do that directly at the design bureau in St. Petersburg. The military can then accept them there, no problem," Boguslaev said.
As far as engines, exported to other states as part of Russian helicopters, are concerned, Russia is not the end-user in such cases. "They are not delivered to Russia, but to China or India, i.e. states, procuring Russian helicopters. Such engines are exported to third states via Russia," Boguslaev said.
Flagship engine-building companies have been ordering spare parts elsewhere, rather than manufacturing them themselves, since it is cheaper. For instance, Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, and Rolls Royce order space parts for their engines from certified production facilities in China, as it is cheaper that way, Boguslaev said.