Moscow, Nov 17
Russian Helicopters is preparing to launch a joint venture in China that will become the group's maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre for aircraft operating in the country.
A statement by Russian Helicopters on 15 November said the Sino-Russian Helicopter Service Company Ltd, which was formally set up earlier this year but has yet to commence operations, will be based in Qingdao on the east coast of China and will provide support and maintenance services to a wide range of Russian rotorcraft.
While primarily focused on civilian platforms the JV is also expected to provide similar services to military helicopters in service with the Chinese armed forces.
The announcement came as Russian Helicopters announced on 15 November that its subsidiary Rostvertol has delivered an Mi-26TC to China to carry out fire-fighting duties, thus fulfilling a contract placed in March 2010. It is the third MI-26TC purchased by China.
On the subject of the JV, Russian Helicopters said it represents an "important step in the change of strategy from selling just the helicopter itself to selling the entire lifecycle of a helicopter, including after-sale service and modern training means".
This new technical facilty will become largest for all Russian-made helicopters in China and is just one of some very largest new project we have coming in next 7-8 months!