Mikhail Kazachkov, president of the Russian Helicopter Industry Association, talks to Helipress about the opportunities offered by the Expo thai will be held in Moscow in May 22-24

The global helicopter industry is getting ready for HeliRussia 2014. The event will be a test for the international manufacturers and also an opportunity to highlight the progress of the local industry. To certify the importance of HeliRussia 2014, is the presence of AgustaWestland, Bell, Airbus Helicopters, Robinson and Sikorsky: nobody in the international Industry want to miss the chance to show up to Russia. We discuss it with Mikhail Kazachkov, president of the Russian Helicopter Industry Association.

Mr. Kazachkov, what can we expect from HeliRussia 2014?

“HeliRussia, at this moment, is the largest and most representative helicopter exhibition in Europe both in pure size and in number of helicopters presented. On 13 850 sq. meters a total of 212 companies will present their latest developments, including 21 helicopters produced by russian and international manufacturers”. 

Can you give us a preview?

“Russian Helicopters JSC will present the medical version of their "Ansat" light multirole helicopter. We will also see the record-breaking multirole helicopter Mi-38 fitted with TV3-117V engines and latest avionics by "Tranzas Aviatsiya", and the Mi-28NE attack helicopter. Last but not least, Russian Helicopter Systems will present a VIP versions of Bell 429, AW 139 and AW 109”.

And what about the European manufacturers?

“Airbus Helicopters will present their latest 7-ton helicopter EC175 in VIP- configured version with brand new interior developed by Pegasus Design studio. Turbomeca will present their newest engine RTM 322 and Ardiden 3G. AgustaWestland will show the Russian made AW139, produced in joint venture with Russian Helicopter”.

Do you expect the same effort by the American companies?

“There will be a strong American presence. There will be the Bell-407JX and MD Helicopters 520 model, while Robinson helicopters dealers will present the full range of R-models, the R-22, R-44 and R-66 certified in Russia in march 2013”.

The last edition was a record-breaker: can HeliRussia 2014 be a opportunity to highlight the export chances for Russian Helicopters? 

“Definitely. At this moment Helirussia is the biggest helicopter event in Europe and a huge opportunity for all major helicopter companies to find new clients and partners not only in CIS but in the whole world”.

Which branches of the helicopters Industry will be highlighted at HeliRussia 2014?

“We’re going to cover all fields of the Industry. The exposition and business programme includes the presentation of both military and civil helicopters, as well as equipments. A big part of the programme will be dedicated to SAR operations and equipment, as well as development of helicopter transportation in cities. A special discussion on gas fuel as an alternative to traditional aviation fuel is planned to take place during HeliRussia 2014. A total of 1.200 representative from over 200 companies are planning to take part in business discussions during the Expo, so the expectations are of course high”.

Will the international major events like HeliRussia 2014 play an important role also in the enhancement of the safety record of the global helicopter Industry?

“No doubt about it. The business section of Helirussia provides opportunity not only to see latest helicopter models developed by world's largest companies, but also to take part in discussion of safety management, helicopter development and production and etc”.

HEMS and SAR, according to "The global commercial helicopter market 2013-2023" report, will be very important for the global helicopters market growth in the next decade.

“I agree with this forecast. We’ve noticed a huge progress at this moment by russian manufaturers in implementation of systems like these on russian-built helicopters”.

The number of foreign-manufactured helicopters in Russia's fleets is growing. According to data from the registry, in 2009 there were 246 helicopters, and at the beginning of 2014 were 584, which signs an increase of 237%. How the Russian manufacturers can bear the brunt of this fierce competition?

“The key will be the cooperation. We already see a strong cooperation of Russian Helicopters with many foreign companies interested in the russian market. A good example is the joint venture Russian Helicopters-AgustaWestland, that has given the green light to a Russian made AW139. I think that in couple of years will see more examples of such cooperations”.