Russian manufacturer Rostvertol is aiming to beef up sales of the Mi-26 heavy lift helicopter with the appointment of Nutshell Ltd of Cyprus as agent for the Middle East.
Rostvertol is pushing the versatility of the Mi-26 which has an expanding portfolio of military and civil roles.
Nutshell managing director Elena Hadjifintani says the aircraft is capable of fulfilling a range of tasks in the civil field, particularly in the construction, oil and gas and emergency services sectors.
"The Middle East, where emergency service operations are being upgraded, has enormous potential for the Mi-26 which has the heaviest lift in the world.
"We envisage it being used to fly heavy construction equipment to remote areas of the Middle East - places which are difficult to access by other means."
The Mi-26 is the largest helicopter currently in production, with a lifting capacity of 20t, similar to that of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport.
Vice-president Yuri Zaikin claims the aircraft is winning growing support at international airshows.
"It's because of this popularity that we are now appointing agents around the world," he says.
"We have an agreement with Nutshell which means co-operation in the Middle East as well as after sales service and modernisation of aircraft."
Rostvertol is now promoting upgraded versions of the Mi-26 with work being carried out by Moscow's Mil helicopter plant.
Adapting to the western world's traditional superiority in sales knowledge is seen as a key driver for the organisation.
"We always knew we could produce helicopters on a par with our counterparts," says Zaikin, "however, we knew virtually nothing about how to sell them.
Source: Flight Daily News
