MOSCOW. June 20 (Interfax-AVN) - Modernized helicopters Mil Mi-2M will be equipped with AI-450 turboshaft engines of Motor Sich, Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, Motor Sich President Vyacheslav Boguslayev told Interfax-AVN.
"The first Mil Mi-2 with AI-450 engines, which replace outdated GTD-350, is practically ready," he said.
There are thousands of Mi-2 helicopters in Russia, CIS member countries and other states, and they need a replacement for old engines, Boguslayev said.
There will be several modifications of the AI-450 engine. "AI-450MS is an auxiliary propulsion unit of Antonov An-148-100 jetliners," he said.
"Foreign seven-seat helicopters of the Mi-2 class cost from $7 million to $9 million, while the installation of a new engine in Mi-2 will cost $1 million," he said.
AI-450 is designed for helicopters with a lifting capacity of 1,500 to 4,000 kilograms (among them Mi-2, Kamov Ka-226 and others).