MOSCOW. Feb 7 (Interfax-AVN) - Deliveries of Russian-made helicopters to South Korea by way of paying Russian government debts were discussed at a conference attended by leaders of the Kamov helicopter-manufacturing company, Kumertau Aircraft Production Enterprise and the South Korean LG International Corp.
A well-informed source at the Russian Aviation and Space Agency told Interfax-Military News Agency that the conference mulled the improvement and expansion of the maintenance service network of KA-32 Helix helicopters delivered to South Korea for debts. The source said representatives of LG International spoke for expanding deliveries by adding helicopters made at the Moscow helicopter plant and other Russian manufacturers other than the Kamov corporation.
KA-32 have been delivered to South Korea since 1993. The country currently uses 38 such aircraft. Some 20% of them are deck and the rest transport helicopters, the source said. Kumertau plans to deliver two more helicopters of this type this year, the source said.
KA-32 amount to about 40 percent of civilian helicopters used by South Korea. The country believes that it will need up to 50 more KA-32 aircraft. LG International, which is promoting Russian helicopters on the South Korean market, opened a service center for Russian aircraft at the Kimpo airport near Seoul in 1994.
The KA-32 is a coaxial helicopter powered by two TV3-117VMA engines developing 2,225hp each. It can airlift up to 16 people or up to 3.7t of cargo in the cabin or up to 5t of cargo on the outer suspension at the altitude of up to 2,500m.