Russian Ansat helicopters may face operational shutdown

Ansat helicopters are at risk of facing a large-scale shutdown due to the inability to repair engines, several sources in the industry told Izvestia.

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According to the manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney Canada, the maximum service life of the motor is 3 thousand hours, after which it must be checked and, if necessary, repaired. Without diagnostics and maintenance, it is impossible to extend the service life.

As the Helicopter Industry Association (AVI) told Izvestia, there are no certified organizations with licenses in Russia or in friendly countries that could perform such work. Pratt & Whitney Canada refuses to service equipment due to sanctions.

"The Russian industry does not have access to the original technical documentation of Pratt & Whitney Canada, which means it cannot organize certified engine maintenance," the AVI added.

In addition, the association noted that attempts to organize repairs at domestic enterprises are encountering the lack of critical components, the technologies of which remain unavailable, therefore, in the next five years, a significant part of the Ansat helicopter fleet may be at risk of shutdown — 49 aircraft may stop flying by 2029.

As emphasized in the press service of the United Engine Corporation (UEC), instead of the PW207K, the designers of UEC-Klimov created a domestic VK-650V engine. In 2023, its engineering tests were successfully completed, and in 2024, testing began as part of a new version of the Ansat helicopter.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Non-flying breed: Russian Ansat helicopters may face operational shutdown