Moscow, Tehran negotiating supply of Ansat, Ka-226T helicopters to Iran

The Russian Helicopters holding (subsidiary of Rostec State Corporation) is in negotiations with the Iranian colleagues on the supply of the light helicopters Ansat and Kamov Ka-226T for Iran’s Health Ministry, Deputy Director General of the holding Alexander Shcherbinin said on Tuesday.

"Russian Helicopters conducts negotiations on the supply of the Ansat and Ka-226T light helicopters for the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In addition to the delivery of the helicopters, the issue of organizing their assembly in Iran is being considered. According to our estimates, Iran needs about 60 Russian light helicopters," Shcherbinin said.

The holding’s press service said that from August 23 to 25 Russian Helicopters will for the first time hold a seminar for the Iranian operators and potential customers of Russian helicopters. The Russian experts will present to the potential customers civil multipurpose equipment. "These are the Ka-32A11VS fire-fighting helicopters, the newest Mi-171A2 for search-rescue and offshore operations, as well as the Mi-26T and Mi26T2 heavy helicopters for disaster clean-up operations, delivery of humanitarian aid and transportation of people," according to the holding.

Russian Helicopters also said that the issue of the establishment of an authorized maintenance and repair center for Russian helicopters is being actively negotiated with Iran’s company IHSRC (Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Company).

At present, more than 50 Russian-manufactured helicopters are registered in Iran. Mi-17 remains the most popular one. The country operates almost the entire range of this type of helicopters: Mi-17, Mi-171, Mi-171E, Mi-8MTV, Mi-7V5, the Russian Helicopters press service said.