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Russian helicopter sales hit $5 billion
May 17, 2013, 12:38 pm

A Russian combat helicopter during military exercises with China [Xinhua]

A Russian combat helicopter during military exercises with China [Xinhua]

Russia’s state arms export agency Rosoboronexport said Friday its helicopter export contracts had reached $5 billion.

Rosoboronexport representative Grigory Kozlov told reporters at the Sixth HeliRussia-2013 international fair that 140 helicopters totaling $2.2 billion were expected to be delivered in 2013.

Russia is also in the running for potential contracts totaling a further $9 billion, he said.

Kozlov said Russian helicopters were superior to competitors’ aircraft due to their advanced technical characteristics.

India is among the largest clients, with a potential order of 197 Ka-226T combat helicopters up for grabs in a current tender, he said.

“There is a chance we’ll win that tender,” Kozlov said.

Ka-226T is a multi-purpose helicopter equipped with French-made engines. It is capable of carrying a load of up to 1500 kg and has a speed of 200 km/h.

Russia is also vying to supply 12 Mi-17V5 helicopters to Afghanistan and 12 more Mi-35M craft to Brazil.

Rosoboronexport is the only Russian arms trader present at HeliRussia-2013, which started here Thursday.

In 2012, Russia exported helicopters worth a total of $1.5 billion to 23 countries, according to the Rosoboronexport website. Its largest clients include India and China.

Xinhua