ROSTOV-ON-DON. April 29 (Interfax-AVN) - The Rostvertol plant has completed the installation of VK-2500 engines in the baseline variety of the MI-35 Hind transport and combat helicopter and submitted the aircraft for state tests, the plant's deputy director general for foreign economic activity Andrei Shibitov said on Tuesday.
"The VK-2500 engine designed by the Klimov plant is tested in flight as part of the MI-35 helicopter in the interests of potential foreign customers. The engine can power any modifications of the MI-35 helicopter, Shibitov told Interfax- Military News Agency.
Prior to that, VK-2500 passed flight and design tests as part of the MI-35 at the Klimov plant, he noted.
"Unlike the regular engines of the MI-35 developing 2,200hp, the VK-2500 engines have a capacity amounting to 2,500hp, which provides for a considerable improvement of nearly all flight specifications of Rostvertol's export-oriented helicopters," Shibitov said.
The MI-35 is an export-oriented variety of the MI-24V transport and combat helicopter. The MI-35P is an export-oriented variety of the MI-24P.
Speaking about the renewal program for Russian helicopters offered for export, Shibitov said "the enterprise has a program of mass production of new varieties of the MI-35 helicopter - MI- 35M, MI-35PN and MI-35PM." "These helicopters are distinguished for more advanced combat specifications and round-the-clock capability," he noted.