Russian Helicopters

For helicopters operated by the Russian Armed Forces, see List of active Russian military aircraft.

JSC Russian Helicopters

File:Russian Helicopters en logo.svg
Company type	Joint-stock company
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	2007 (2007)
Headquarters	Moscow , Russia
Area served	Global
Key people	Nikolay Kolesov (CEO) Vladimir Artyakov (Chairman)
Products	Military and civilian Helicopters
Operating income	Template:Wikidata revenueTemplate:Wikidata revenue (Template:Wikidata revenue)
Net income	Template:Wikidata revenueTemplate:Wikidata revenue (Template:Wikidata revenue)
Total assets	Template:Wikidata revenueTemplate:Wikidata revenue (Template:Wikidata revenue)
Total equity	Template:Wikidata revenueTemplate:Wikidata revenue (Template:Wikidata revenue)
Number of employees	Template:Wikidata employeesTemplate:Wikidata employees
Parent	Rostec
Divisions	see structure
Website	rhc.ru/en

JSC Russian Helicopters (Russian: Вертолёты России, romanized: Vertolyoty Rossii), based in Moscow, Russia, specializes in the design and production of helicopters for both military and civilian markets. The company’s majority stake is held by Rostec. Ranking as the 24th-largest global defence contractor by revenues in 2012—its strongest year this century—it is the second biggest defense manufacturer within Russia, following Almaz-Antey.

History

In May 2011, the firm sought to launch an IPO on the London Stock Exchange, but was unable to secure sufficient subscription for the order book at the anticipated $2 billion valuation.

That same year, Russian Helicopters partnered with the Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland to form HeliVert, a joint venture aimed at commencing production of the AW139 twin-engine multipurpose helicopter within Russia. The manufacturing facility is situated in Tomilino, Moscow Region.

By 2016, the company had delivered 189 helicopters across 13 countries. Additionally, it terminated its collaboration with the Ukrainian engine producer Motor Sich during that year.

In 2017, a consortium led by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and prominent Middle Eastern investment groups completed an acquisition of a minority share in Russian Helicopters, which operates under the Rostec State Corporation umbrella. The company's valuation at that time was estimated at $2.35 billion. The identities of the Middle Eastern investors were not publicly disclosed.

This transaction was structured in two phases: initially, a 12% equity stake was sold alongside a $300 million investment, with provisions for a potential increase up to $600 million. This arrangement expanded the authorized capital of the holding company, generating substantial internal funding. These resources are intended to support strategic objectives and business plans, including the development of new helicopter models. Furthermore, the capital will facilitate execution of the holding's investment programs and enable financing for potential mergers and acquisitions aimed at enhancing company value and supporting capital initiatives.

In 2018, Russian Helicopters reported revenue of 36 billion rubles within Russia.

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates acquired a 50% interest in VR Technologies to jointly develop the VRT500 and VRT300 helicopter models. However, in November 2023, the UAE ended its partnership with Russian Helicopters to independently pursue development efforts and circumvent sanction-related complications. Concurrently, an Abu Dhabi investment fund announced its withdrawal from cooperation with Russian Helicopters citing compliance with sanctions as the rationale for discontinuing joint development of the VRT500 and VRT300.

On 7 August 2023, Sergey Chemezov, CEO of parent company Rostec, disclosed that Russian Helicopters produced 134 helicopters in 2021 and increased output to 296 units in 2022. This growth was largely driven by a doubling in military helicopter production under state defense contracts.

Products

File:Kamov-Ka-60.jpg

Kamov Ka-60

The product lineup of Russian Helicopters features:

• Kamov Ka-27
• Kamov Ka-31
• Kamov Ka-52
• Kamov Ka-60/62
• Kamov Ka-226
• Kazan Ansat
• Mil Mi-8
• Mil Mi-17
• Mil Mi-24
• Mil Mi-26
• Mil Mi-28
• Mil Mi-34
• Mil Mi-38
• Mil Mi-54
• VRT 300
• VRT 500

As of Template:When?, a fifth generation helicopter is in the development phase.

Minoga Naval Helicopter Project

In 2006, Russian Helicopters received a research and development contract from the Russian defense ministry to create a naval helicopter primarily for antisubmarine warfare, following the lineage of coaxial rotor models such as the Kamov Ka-15, Ka-25, and Ka-27. The Minoga (Russian: Минога, lit. 'lamprey') has undergone wind tunnel testing, with the Russian Navy scheduled to review a full-scale mockup in early 2019. Its first flight is anticipated sometime after 2020.

The design may utilize coaxial rotors and could be derived from the early 2000s Ka-92 concept, which competed with the Mil Mi-X1 for a high-speed civilian helicopter project that was discontinued in 2015.

This helicopter will be powered by two Klimov TV7-117V turboshaft engines, each weighing approximately 380 kg (772 lb). These engines deliver between 3,500 to 3,750 hp during emergency conditions, 2,500 to 3,000 hp at maximum takeoff weight, and around 1,650 hp in cruise mode. They are designed to be interchangeable with their predecessor, the VK-2500, suggesting a larger rotorcraft compared to the 2015 model powered by the NPO Saturn RD-600V.

The Minoga must be compact enough to fit two units within a ship's hangar that currently accommodates a single 12-ton Ka-27. Kamov has explored lightweight deck helicopters ranging from four-five to seven-eight metric tons in weight.

While the Kamov Ka-52K Katran is undergoing flight tests, its role remains limited to electronic reconnaissance and airstrike missions.

Structure

The company comprises several divisions:

Design and Development

• The Mil and Kamov National Center for Helicopters Design
  • Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant
  • Kamov Design Bureau
• VR-Technologies

Manufacturing Facilities

• Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant
• Kazan Helicopters
• Rostvertol
• Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company
• Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise

Component Suppliers

• Reductor-PM
• Stupino Engineering Production Enterprise

Joint Ventures

• HeliVert

See also

Notable prominent helicopter manufacturers include:

• AgustaWestland
• Airbus Helicopters
• Bell Helicopter
• Boeing Rotorcraft Systems
• MD Helicopters
• Sikorsky Aircraft