Moscow is demanding that industry speed up the establishment of Russian production lines for the Klimov TV3-117 helicopter engine and its higher-power VK-2500 derivative.
The move is meant to reduce Russia's dependence on Ukraine, where the engines are produced for Russian-built Mil Mi-8/17, Mi-24/35 and Mi-28 helicopters, as well as the Kamov Ka-27/28/31/32 and Ka-50/52 series.
A decision to set up local production was made in 2005, but has not been executed "due to non-co-ordinated actions" by the enterprises involved, says Russia's ministry for industry and power generation. This has led to "lengthy delays in equipping Russian aircraft with locally made components".
The ministry has ordered Oboronprom, RSK MiG and other involved companies to "make immediate steps" to set up TV3-117 and VK2500 production in Russia.
In 2007 Moscow approved the building of a new plant near St Petersburg to produce these engines as well as the under-development VK800 and TV7-117.
Construction of the plant, with annual capacity of 200 engines, will cost an estimated 3 billion roubles ($123 million). The government is ready to provide 1.5 billion roubles in direct non-refundable investment, according to budget documents.
The funding is intended for Oboronprom, the state-run company holding major stakes in Russia's leading helicopter enterprises.
Industry has been slow to comply with the Kremlin's order because of the expected higher price of Russian-made engines compared with those assembled by Motor Sich in Zaporozhie, Ukraine. This is because of cheaper labour and streamlined manufacture at Motor Sich.
Earlier, Russia's NPO Saturn set up production of Item 36M/MT small turbojets for cruise missiles, but they appear to cost two to three times more than those made by Motor Sich, which led to Russian missile manufacturers preferring the Ukrainian option.
Source: Flight International
