MOSCOW. Dec 6 (Interfax-AVN) - The Mil Mi-8/17 helicopter maintenance center in Egypt will be certified in 2019, Russian Helicopters said.
"The Russian Helicopters Holding (an affiliate of Rostec) is completing preparations to open a Mil Mi-8/17 helicopter maintenance center on the premises of the Helwan Factory for Developed Industries (HFDI) in Helwan, Egypt. The holding plans to certify the maintenance center in Egypt in 2019," Russian Helicopters' press service said.
At first, the center will maintain and repair Mi-8T and Mi-17-1V helicopters of the Egyptian Air Force, and service may be provided for Mi-17V-5s later, it said.
"Much has been done together with HFDI partners over the past three years to open a maintenance and repair center for Russian helicopters at the plant. The Egyptian side is already making experimental repairs to Mi-8T and Mi-17-1V helicopters, which will lead to the center's certification," Russian Helicopters Deputy General Director for Post-Sales Maintenance Igor Chechikov said.
According to the holding, Plant in 2015-2018, HFDI was provided with the necessary equipment, and its personnel were trained by the Novosibirsk Aircraft Maintenance. In addition, the Moscow-based Mil Helicopter Plant has certified the plant's readiness to perform capital repairs to helicopters.