Russian-Chinese AHL helicopter not to be delivered to Russian market

The Russian-Chinese AHL (Advanced Heavy Lift) helicopter is not expected to be delivered to the Russian market, international cooperation and regional policy director of the Russian State Corporation Rostec Viktor Kladov said on Wednesday.

"China is going to create a helicopter with the lifting capacity of about 12-14 tons, that is, an intermediate version between a medium-and heavy-class helicopter. This is an aircraft for the Chinese market. It is not needed for the Russian market, as we have the universal family Mi-17 helicopters that cover all the essential needs, and the modernized Mi-26 helicopter is used for super-heavy loads. We are not interested in an intermediate version. Therefore, we are working here for the Chinese on their terms of reference," the official said at DSA 2016 (Defense Services Asia 2016) international defense show.

AHL is developed jointly by Russian Helicopters and China’s AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China). The aircraft’s take-off weight is expected to be 38.2 tons, and the lifting capacity - from 10 to 15 tons. The helicopter’s speed will be 300 km per hour, the flight range will reach 630 km and service ceiling - 5,700 meters.

In early March, Rostec Director General Sergei Chemezov said that the engine for this helicopter would be created no earlier than in two or three years.