The documents for the Joint Venture between Rosoboronexport and Russian Helicopters on one side and HAL on the other side have been completed. The new JV is currently being registered with the necessary government bodies.

The shares in the JV have been agreed at 49.5% for the Russian side, 50.5% for the Indian side. The project is estimated at $1 billion+

India has traditionally been considered a special strategic partner of Russian Helicopters, part of Rostec State Corporation. More than 400 helicopters produced in Russia are registered and operated here.

Currently, Rostec's key helicopter project in India is the Ka-226T “Make in India” project. In 2016 Russian Helicopters, Rosoboronexport and HAL Corporation created a joint venture to localize production of the light, multirole Ka-226Ts and to deliver them to the Indian market. The JV resulted from an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries. The project is set for at least 200 units, 40 to be delivered from Russia in the nearest future, 160 to be made in India. In addition to the assembly, it provides terms for maintenance, operation, repairs and maintenance of these helicopters.

Mr Viktor Kladov, head of International Cooperation, Rostec

“Since October 2016 the project has been moving full-steam-ahead. We have conducted multiple negotiations, most recently in January 2017. In January the documents for the JV have been completed and they have been sent for registration with the relevant government bodies. I expect this will happen soon, one to two months. This is the final stage of forming the joint venture company. When the JV is registered it can start acting as a subject and negotiate the terms with customers and parent companies. The schedule of delivery and localization, as well as the terms and the number of units will be up to the JV to finalise.”

“My assumption is that the production will take place at the HAL facilities in Bangalore. They are well equipped and have qualified workforce. Besides they are now completing the Su-30MKI production program. Hence they will have the manpower and facilities to take on the Ka-226T project”.

“The number of production units is to be set by the JV, but our expertise is that India requires no less than 400 units of these helicopters. They are versatile and modular so can be used in military, search and rescue, medical and transport tasks. Its possible that the regional market, the neighboring countries will be interested and it can become an export product on its own.”

The light multirole Ka-226T helicopter with a coaxial main rotor system has a maximum takeoff weight of 3.6 tonnes and can carry up to 1 tonne payload. Its main distinguishing feature is modular design. A passenger cabin can be easily installed, which allows to carry up to 6 people or modules fitted with special equipment: medical, search and rescue, military or transport. The helicopter is easy to operate, boasts incredibly precise hovering, has excellent manoeuvrability and handling, easy to maintain, has large power capacity and features maximum safety.