SINGAPORE. Feb 13 (Interfax-AVN) - 2014 helicopter production in Russia will be at roughly the same level as that achieved in 2013, or more than 300 helicopters, the Industry and Trade Ministry forecasts.
"I think that steady production and steady orders are our primary objective. This year we expect to build no fewer helicopters than we did last year," Director of the Industry and Trade Ministry's Aircraft Industry Department Andrei Boginsky told reporters at the Singapore Air Show 2014.
The helicopter industry has a slower growth compared to the aircraft industry but its manufacturing capacities are different, he said. "Some 287 helicopters of all types were built in 2012 and 303 in 2013. The growth is not large, around 4-5%. But the capacities are different; they are inherently high," Boginsky said.
The Defense Ministry is the main ordering client, and approximately 70% of helicopters are military vehicles. They are supplied both to the domestic and foreign market, he said.
The federal target program for the civilian aircraft industry puts an emphasis on three helicopter projects: the Kamov Ka-62, the Mil Mi-38 and a prospective high-speed helicopter, Boginsky continued. "Hence, we expect the Interstate Aviation Committee to certify Ka-62 and Mi-38 in 2015. The prospective high-speed helicopter is just being developed. We hope to build the first prototype in 2017-2018 and to obtain certification in 2019," he noted.
The state program also stipulates the development of light helicopters with a takeoff weight of 4.5 and 2.5 tonnes, Boginsky said. "These vehicles are still under consideration," he added.