Russian helicopter manufacturers continue to increase production despite the global economic downturn, which has forced nearly every Western manufacturer to cut back on deliveries.
Helicopter Industry Association of Russia president Mikhail Kazachkov says Russian manufacturers were able to produce 186 helicopters in 2009. This is a 9% increase compared with the 169 helicopters produced in 2008. "Over the last five years the output of Russian helicopter manufacturers has now increased by 220%," Kazachkov says.
In 2004, only 85 helicopters were produced in Russia. The biggest growth was in 2008, when production surged by 41% from 120 to 169 helicopters.
Russian manufacturers collectively are now out-producing some of the world's largest helicopter makers. Flightglobal HeliCAS figures show for example that Bell delivered only 142 civilian helicopters in 2009, down from 172 in 2008, while Agusta delivered 156, down from 179.
While Russian manufacturers have been steadily increasing production they have been losing market share in their home market.
Kazachkov says that according to official government data at the beginning of this year there were 246 foreign-built helicopters on the Russian civil aircraft registry, which gives foreign manufacturers a 12% share of the 2,118-aircraft market.
At the beginning of 2009, there were only 202 foreign-built helicopters officially registered in Russia, accounting for 10% of a market that at that point consisted of 2,071 helicopters.
"Despite constant output growth, Russian helicopter manufacturers fail to meet the domestic market needs due to the fact there's high demand for Russian helicopters outside the country and the bulk of helicopter production is for export," Kazachkov says.
But he adds that based on data compiled by his association, there are about 420 foreign-built helicopters now operating in Russia. Kazachkov says this is a more accurate figure because many general aviation aircraft in Russia that belong to private owners and flying clubs are not on the official registry.
He says there are now 17 types of Western helicopters certificated in Russia. Of the eight Western helicopter manufacturers that have delivered aircraft to Russia, Robinson has by far the highest market share, Kazachkov says, with around 100 types now operating in Russia. Eurocopter also has a strong presence with about 70 machines, followed by Bell with about 20 helicopters.
Kazachkov expects Russia to continue to be a major growth market for Western manufacturers. He says high import duties have partially curtailed growth, but these duties are likely to be reduced.
Source: Flight International
