Younis Ahmad Kaloo

Chennai: Addressing the media at DefExpo-2018 via teleconference on the status of the Joint Venture (JV) between Russia and India for the supply and localisation of Ka-226T helicopter production and plans for future cooperation with Indian partners, Director General Russian Helicopters, Andrey Boginskiy, said he is expecting the issuance of Request for Proposal (RFP) for 200 Ka-226T helicopters in the ‘nearest time’.

Russian Helicopters’ Ka-226T rotorcraft

“As of today, we have formed a helicopter configuration, which is approved by the Indian side. In the nearest time the Russian side is expecting the issue of the RFP for 200 helicopters, and it means that we have come very close to entering into the contract,” said Boginskiy. He also said that Russian Helicopters has already developed a training programme for Indian pilots and will produce five simulators for this purpose. Out of five, four will be delivered to India and one will be placed at the facilities of Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.

Under the inter-governmental agreement signed in 2016, 60 helicopters will be brought from Russia while the remaining 140 will be assembled in India at the facilities of