As India gets closer to signing a contract with Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of State Corporation Rostec) for 200 light utility helicopters, Russian Helicopters signed Memoranda of Understanding at Aero India 2019 in Bengaluru today with manufacturers to include assemblies such as fuselage, blades, and landing gear. The LUH contract for the army and air force is expected to be signed by May.
The government-to-government project will be done in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
The program of localization of production of Ka-226T helicopter in India is a step toward the Make in India program initiated by the government. The contract provides for delivery of 60 Ka-226Ts assembled in Russia and the production of 140 in India.
"I am sure the rotorcraft assembled in India will be in high demand in this country as well as in third-country markets. In particular, we intend to take part in a bid for 111 Naval Utility Helicopters for the Indian Navy," said Victor Kladov, director for international cooperation and regional policy at Rostec.
The LUH program is a priority for the Indian Navy as its aging Chetak fleet needs to be replaced urgently.
Bengaluru-based Dynamatic Technologies, which has delivered more than 75 aft pylons and cargo ramp components for Boeing H-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter program and will soon become a single source supplier of major airframe assemblies for the Bell 407 GX and 407 GT, signed an MoU for the fuselage of the 226-T. AIN has learned that production will take place at the Dynamatic aerospace park that opened recently to plan for future expansion.
The Ka-226T has a coaxial main rotor system, maximum takeoff weight of 3.6 tonnes, and can transport up to 1 tonne of payload.