Russian Helicopters Rides Wave of Prosperity

Russian Helicopters experienced a 10.7-percent increase in helicopter deliveries last year, shipping 28 more than in 2011, the Moscow-based company announced today. “Last year, we delivered 290 helicopters of nine different types to our clients from 19 countries,” CEO Dmitry Petrov said.

Revenues grew by 21 percent, to $4 billion, and profit increased by 35 percent, to $300 million. The company’s backlog, as of December 31, stood at 817 helicopters worth $11 billion. It also reinvested more than $400 million in the company last year–$245 million for factories and $171 million for research and development.

The helicopter manufacturer also signed several “significant contracts” for delivering helicopters over the next four years to customers in India, China and Brazil. The delivery plan for this year is “100-percent secured with firm orders.”

This week, Russian Helicopters and Denel Aviation inaugurated their joint maintenance, repair and overhaul center in Johannesburg, South Africa. Operations will begin with civil rotorcraft. There are some 600 Russian-built civil and military helicopters in Africa, mainly from the Mi-8/17 series and Ka-32s, according to the manufacturer.