Russian Helicopters, JSC, and Turbomeca have signed a memorandum on engine deliveries for the first Russian light turbine helicopter Sapsan (Mi-34S2) at the MAKS air show.
The memorandum was signed by Andrei Shibitov, CEO, Russian Helicopters and Maxime Faribault, vice president, Airframers Sales, Turbomeca. It will regulate engine deliveries for the first Russian FAR/JAR-27 turbine helicopter over the next five years.
The Sapsan helicopter was the centrepiece of the Russian Helicopters’ exhibition and was officially presented during the first day of the MAKS air show. Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, head of Russian Technologies State Corporation Sergey Chemezov, and other officials were among the visitors to view the new helicopter.
Sapsan’s arrival is a statement to the policy of the Russian holding: to diversify its lineup to address market needs.
The range of modifications covers corporate, private, training, medevac, and surveillance uses – from eco-control and oil lines to employment with police forces.
Serial production will be based at Arsenyev Aviation Company Progress named after NI Sazykin, also manufacturing the Ka-50 Black Shark and Ka-52 Alligator helicopters. Manufacture of the piston Mi-34S1 has been resumed until the Sapsan goes into production in 2011.
“We’ve really given this chopper a ‘thorough shaking’, and this was an ideological step,” said Andrei Shibitov, CEO, Russian Helicopters. “We now have a product with a very popular and reliable French turboshaft engine, boasting good specifications and economy. This gives our helicopter a new status, a new life.”
The Sapsan uses the popular Arrius 2F by the French company Turbomeca, a reliable, long-life engine with well-established warranty and after-warranty service. This should help to diminish traditional market scepticism towards a new helicopter model.

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