Ukrainian gas turbine maker Motor Sich plans to produce its own six-ton class medical evacuation helicopter within five years, the company’s Deputy General Director Vladimir Semyonov said on Wednesday.
If the project goes ahead it will be the first break into helicopter production for Motor Sich, and the first time Ukraine has produced a large helicopter.
“The helicopter, which will have a take-off weight of six to seven tons, will appear we hope in about two to four years, at most five. It will be of all-Ukrainian production,” he said.
The machine will be larger than the Soviet-era Mil Mi-2 but smaller than the Mi-8, he added.
“This niche is the most in demand, and is needed by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Emergencies Ministry and other agencies.
Motor Sich currently produces gas turbine engines and turboshafts for Russia’s Mil Mi-17 and Kamov Ka-226 helicopters and Antonov An-70, An-124 and An-140 transport aircraft, as well as the Yak-130 jet trainer. It produces components for 95 percent of Russia’s aircraft engines.