Russian Helicopters to Start Taking Orders for Modernized Mi-8M in 2010

(Beijing, September 25, 2009) -- Russian Helicopters, JSC, the managing body of the consolidated Russian helicopter industry holding, is planning to start taking orders for the deeply modernised Mi-8M helicopter. First deliveries of Mi-8M are scheduled for 2013. After serious modernisation this model will retain its popularity on the global market at least till 2020.

The Mi-8M modernization programme includes advanced solutions already tested in development of another Russian helicopter - the Mi-38.


Russia-based Transas company has already developed the IBKV-17 integrated avionics suite for the Mi-8/17 modernization program to implement the glass cockpit concept. IBKV-17 brings new features to Russian-made helicopters widely expanding operational limits and decreasing pilot burdens thanks to automation of many tasks and processes.

Russian Helicopters is continuing its cooperation with Transas, Russian Avionics and the Ramenskoye Instrument Plant Design Bureau (RPKB). Russian Helicopters expects that the IBKV-17 and the overall quality of the modernized Mi-8M will ensure additional sales on traditional markets and help to increase demand for Russian-made helicopters on new markets.

"We have a constant orders intake for Mi-8/17 models," Russian Helicopters CEO Andrei Shibitov says. "And we modernize them constantly while keeping them on the production line. We expect orders to come from civil companies on the Russian and international markets, including Chinese companies."

Source : Russian Helicopters