ST. PETERSBURG. May 19 (Interfax-AVN) - R.E.T. Kronshtadt, a component of the Transas Group, has supplied three helicopter trainers to Syria, R.E.T. Kronshtadt General Director Yevgeny Komrakov said.
"We have supplied three trainers to Syria, two for Mil Mi-17 helicopters and one for Mil Mi-24/35," he said.
The exports of Russian-made helicopter and ship trainers have grown a lot over the recent years, he said. "The exports stood at $20 million in 2004-2006, and currently amount to some $350 million per year," he said.
The cost of trainers varies from 7% to 10% of the entire cost of armament programs in the world, he said. Yet the Russian Defense Ministry had been funding the development and acquisition of trainers on leftovers. Trainers account for less than a percent in state defense procurements, he said.
Earlier reports said that Transas was building helicopter trainers, including those of D class, for Venezuela, Brazil, Azerbaijan, Syria and Cyprus to Rosoboronexport's order. In all, the company is working on about 40 helicopter and plane trainers. The orders will last at least until 2014.