BANGALORE, India (BulgarianMilitary.com) – Today, on the sidelines of the exhibition Aero India 2019, Viktor Kladov acting as the Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy at the Russian state-owned corporation Rostec revealed to reporters that Russia and China were about to sign an agreement on the creation of a new generation heavy helicopter, which would happen in the next months, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
The Russian media reports Viktor Kladov, saying that Moscow and Beijing will sign a contract on developing heavy helicopter contract within 30-60 days.
The official said: “We have prepared and will sign in the coming two months a contract of the century with China on joint development, production and sales of the new generation heavy-lift helicopter,”pointing out that the intense talks on this project have lasted for four years.
Read more: Russian Helicopters will Establish Mi-171 and Ka-32 Maintenance Centers in China
The director at Rostec explained that the helicopter developed by the industrial partnership between Russia and China would be smaller than Russia’s heavy transport helicopter Mi-26 but more powerful than the U.S. Sikorsky. Its cargo capacity will be of 15 tonnes.
According to experts, the demand for the new model in China, for the period until 2040, could exceed 200 rotorcrafts.
The new AI-136T turboshaft engines that the new helicopter will be equipped with, are developed by the Ukrainian companies Motor Sich and Ivchenko-Progress and are an upgraded version of the D-136 turboshaft engines.
The new engine is expected to improve significantly the performance of the future Russian-Chinese heavy-lift helicopter while operating in hot-and-high conditions, considering that, at temperatures no higher than 15ºC, the maximum output of the original D-136 is 11,500 hp, while the new AI-136T delivers 11,500 hp at maximum trust setting at surrounding temperatures of up to 50ºC. It also features an emergency mode that provides up to 14,500 hp.
Read more: China Successfully Completes Trials of the Russian S-400s
There is a proposal for the new helicopter to receive a Russian-made engine leveraging the technology of the domestically manufactured engine PD-14.
The helicopter will be designed to perform around-the-clock operation in highland areas, in hot climates, and in all weather conditions. It will be suitable to carry out a wide range of missions, including transportation, firefighting, evacuatiom, etc.
Read more: Russia’s Almaz-Antey Will Participate in Aero India 2019
The exhibition Aero India 2019, which began today at India’s Bangalore air base, will continue until 24th February. At this year’s event, which is usually held once every two years under the auspices of India’s government and Ministry of Defence, Russia is expected to display over 200 defense products.
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BulgarianMilitary.com
Sources: TASS, RT