David Oliver – At Aero India 2019 Russian Helicopters identified a chain of 30 potential local suppliers of components for the Kamov Ka-226T helicopter to be made in India and signed a Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Elcom, Valdel Advanced Technologies, Dynamatic Technologies, Integrated Helicopter Services and Bharat Forge as potential suppliers of rotor blades, radio stations, landing gear and the elements of fuselage.
Director general of Russian Helicopters, Andrey Boginskiy said, “We are facing an ambitious task because the world has so far not seen such projects of transferring leading-edge rotorcraft production. To set up the production of Ka-226T helicopter, its assemblies and components, is not possible without the reliable Indian partners and future suppliers having a sufficient number of technological competences and work experience in the aviation sphere. The objective of current interaction between Russian and Indian industrial enterprises is to present the background information on the project, a joint discussion of technical issues and finding further ways of cooperation”.
In 2015, Russia and India signed an agreement for the Indian Armed Forces to take delivery of 200 Kamov Ka-226T for the long-delayed requirement for a light utility and surveillance helicopter (RSH) to replace obsolete fleets of HAL-built Chetaks and Cheetahs. The first 60 Ka-226Ts will be built in Russia while at least 140 will be produced in India by the Joint Venture company IRHL comprising HAL, Rostoc-JSC Rosonboronexport and Russian Helicopters with 40 percent of Indian manufactured components under the “Make in India” initiative.
Of the first batch of 60, 44 will be issued to the Indian Army and 16 to the Indian Air Force.
Russian Helicopters will develop a new training programme for Ka-226T pilots and technical specialists in India and provide five flight simulators.
by David Oliver
