HSC to Repair Helicopters for South Korea’s Department of Forest Aviation

Helicopter Service Company (HSC) has entered into a contract with Russian Helicopters and South Korea’s Department of Forest Aviation to repair four of the South Korean operator’s Ka-32T helicopters.

According to the contract, the restorations aim to increase resources so as to extend the flight times of the helicopters to 2000 hours, with a 10 year guarantee until any further major repairs will be needed. This is the first direct contract between HSC and the South Korean operator that hasn’t required mediation. In the past, similar work has been carried out by LG International in its technical service centre, with HSC involved as a contractor.

The repairs detailed in the contract will be carried out by specialists from Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, which is also a part of Russian Helicopters. The work will take place in Wonju at one of the Forest Aviation Department’s technical service centres responsible for projects of this kind. The obligations of the contract should be fulfilled within 8 months. 

Ka-32 is a common model of medium-sized helicopter with coaxial rotors, two turboshaft engines and a non-retractable chassis. Ka-32 is a civilian version of the search and rescue helicopter Ka-27PS, developed by the Kamov Design Bureau. From 1985 Ka-32 helicopters were serially produced at Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise. Today South Korea successfully employs more than 60 Ka-32 helicopters to carry out various tasks, and this fleet has accumulated a flight time of over 100,000 hours. 

Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise is a Russian Helicopters company and the largest industrial enterprise in Kumertau, manufacturing high-tech equipment for helicopters and other purposes. Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise specialises in coaxial rotor system helicopters. It produces all the Ka-27 and Ka-31 models, as well as the civilian multirole Ka-32A11BC and the new Ka-226 and Ka-226T.

Russian Helicopters, (part of State Corporation Rostec), is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. In 2014 its IFRS revenues increased 22.8% to RUB 169.8 billion. Deliveries reached 271 helicopters. 

State Corporation Rostec is a Russian corporation founded in 2007 for the purpose of promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech civilian and military industry products. It comprises 663 organisations, nine of which have now been formed as holding companies of the military-industrial complex, six of them are involved in civil industries and 32 are directly controlled. Rostec’s portfolio includes recognised brands such as Avtovaz, Kamaz, Russian Helicopters, and VSMPO-AVISMA. Rostec’s organisations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply their products to the markets of more than 70 countries. The revenue of Rostec in 2014 amounted to RUB 964.5 billion. The tax deductions into the treasuries at all levels exceeded RUB 147.8 billion.