Gazprom and Russian Helicopters signed agreement to cooperate on supplies of 1st Russian offshore helicopters

St.Petersburg, July 23 - Neftegaz.RU. Gazprom´s Deputy Chairman Vitaly Markelov and Andrey Boginsky, Director General of Russian Helicopters, signed the Agreement of Strategic Cooperation for the supply of domestically-produced certified naval helicopters of the type Mi-171A3.

Gazprom intends to purchase Mi-171А3 helicopters according to its current needs, as well as to place orders for repairs and service maintenance.
The Company plans to use the helicopters at the fields located on the continental shelf.

The Mi-171A3 is the 1st Russian helicopter designed primarily for offshore operations (overseas transportation of passengers and cargo).
The maximum take-off weight of the series aircraft is 13 tons.

The Mi-171А3 meets the strict requirements for safe flight over bodies of water.
In order to be operated in the most challenging weather conditions, the helicopter will be provided with an integrated flight and navigation system: a glass cockpit with a digital avionics suite.

The helicopter will be available in 2 configurations:

• the 1^st version will be able to carry up to 24 passengers and up to 5 tons of cargo
• the 2^nd version, which will be used for search and rescue operations, will be additionally fitted with special (i.e. medical) equipment

In line with the Agreement, Russian Helicopters will arrange for the testing of the Mi-171А3 prototype, as well as the serial production and certification of the helicopters.