Yury Pustovgarov: ''Today the military accounts for about half of all helicopters assembled at Kazan Helicopters''

''The second new development — police Ansat''

Mr. Pustovgarov, what's new you have brought to show the military?

We are demonstrating well-known and reliable Mi-17 helicopters, but in new look. The model Mi-17V-5 is a new export modification, which is made in accordance with the requirements of foreign customers. It has composite blades, an X-shaped control screw and is equipped with modern navigation systems that allow to fly at night and protect itself from missiles. To date, Kazan Helicopters, part of the holding Russian Helicopters, have produced more than 11,000 helicopters of this family. And the second new development — police Ansat. It is designed to patrol and protect the area. In contrast to previous modifications, it is equipped with various devices that help to work in the complex for the protection of law and order and perform rescue functions.

I can say that this year Kazan Helicopters has given the Russian defence ministry another batch of five Mi-8MTV-5 military transport helicopters with the latest onboard defence complex as part of the state defence order ahead of schedule. The equipment successfully passed the necessary tests and has been accepted by the military mission of the Russian defence ministry. The machines run by crews of helicopter pilots have already arrived in its permanent location and started to perform the tasks. These helicopters are equipped with a new passive jamming system. Also, the places for the installation of on-board defence complex, which provides protection against the use against helicopters of the missiles with homing heads in the infrared radiation range, have been prepared. The military transport helicopter Mi-8MTV-5-1 is the new version of the Mi-8MTV-5, improved taking into account the combat use of the models of this family. This year it is planned to supply several more batches of the helicopters, which are being at different stages of production. In accordance with the state defence order in 2018, the holding company Russian Helicopters expects to supply the new helicopters, including the aircraft of the type Mi-8.

In accordance with the state defence order in 2018, the holding company Russian Helicopters expects to supply the new helicopters, including the aircraft of the type Mi-8. Photo: tatarstan.ru

Does the military department need Ansat?

We supply training Ansat for training pilots for the defence ministry. 50 helicopters already fly and are in operational service of the defence ministry of the Russian Federation. In the training centre of the ministry of defence, cadets fly on them, the machines have a good flight experience, operating hours, and everyone praises this helicopter.

''It is a terrible military secret''

Kazan Helicopters should present the prototype of Mi-38 heavy helicopter at the end of this year…

No, we are to start certification flights, and we will start them.

Then at what stage is this preparatory work being today?

It is a terrible military secret (laughing). Well, look! When the first serial helicopter is rolled out, then the show is made out of it. And this is in the work. There is still much to work on. Therefore, there definitely will be no show.

To what extent the defence ministry loads Kazan Helicopters?

To date, the military accounts for about half of all helicopters assembled at Kazan Helicopters. The rest is produced under export contracts. I believe that 50-50 is an ideal ratio for the financial stability of the company.

Can we say that in the future military orders will increase taking into account the supply of Mi-38?

We have a good plan, which is related to Mi-38 and Ansat. But for stability it is necessary to stand on two legs, not on one. It would be ideal if it was 50 to 50. We will try to stick to this line.

''To date, the military accounts for about half of all helicopters assembled at Kazan Helicopters. The rest is produced under export contracts. I believe that 50-50 is an ideal ratio for the financial stability of the company.'' Photo: Maksim Platonov

Rosaviatsiya (Federal Air Transport Agency) is discussing with the heads of flight schools the possibility of updating the fleet of obsolete Mi-8 with the supplies of light helicopters Ansat…

I hear for the first time that Rosaviatsiya is engaged in it. Such negotiations are our competence, and we conduct them not only with schools, but also with higher educational institutions and educational centres.

Now a large group of medical Ansats is being born. Their number will be so large that today they are no enough pilots. There is a question of pilot training. To do this, we will have to work very hard in the coming year and create a new training centre. It is necessary to create simulators and operation support systems. It is quite possible that within the framework of the programme of development of sanitary aviation, a number of agreements will be concluded with operators and with someone from civil aviation institutions. I know that this work is under way. It will definitely happen. Without it, the helicopter will not be able to live.

Did you manage to optimize the cost of Ansat helicopter?

Now the work on optimization is being in full swing.

''Only two people know: one — there, one – here''

In connection with the programme of Ansat in medical configuration, the participation of 34 regions of the Russian Federation was discussed and it was expected that the number of regions would increase, and, accordingly, Kazan Helicopters would have the opportunity to boost the production…

It was not discussed. We are talking only about the formation of this programme, the primary documents have been issued, instructions have been given, there are no final documents for 34 regions yet. There is only a document establishing who will perform this function. Now we are preparing economic and financial decisions on the launch of this programme. This programme will run for at least 2-3 years. Then it should have a continuation. We hope that for 5-6 years we will have a firm order for this programme.

I would like to ask another ''secret'' question. There have been talks with your Indian colleagues (we are talking about the leading Indian aircraft corporation Hindustan Aeronautics Limited — editor's note), HAL exhibited several models of its own helicopters. Representatives told that by September 15 the ministry of defence of India has to agree on the price of the contract with Russia.

There are no Indian colleagues here with whom we can discuss this.

''The programme of medical Ansat will run for at least 2-3 years. Then it should have a continuation. We hope that for 5-6 years we will have a firm order for this programme''

So they're the ones who know.…

No one knows. Only two people know: one — there, one — here. But when they meet…

When will Kazan Helicopters come out of the mode of incomplete working week? The Ulan-Ude aviation plant works at full strength. Why you do not?

According to the order signed by me, in September we will switch to the full working week. Come to the factory on Friday — you will see that our parking is packed with cars: part-time mode of the week affected not all employees. And by the end of the year there will be the 7-day working week.