Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation “Rostec”, is exhibiting at the LIMA International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in Malaysia for the first time since 2019. At the event, held from May 20 to May 24 on the island of Langkawi, Russian Helicopters will showcase the Mi-171A3 offshore helicopter, the Ka-32A11M firefighting helicopter, and the Ansat lightweight multipurpose helicopter.
The Mi-171A3 multi-purpose helicopter is the perfect solution for the key countries participating in the LIMA. Malaysia is a major exporter of natural resources, with proven oil reserves totalling more than 4 billion barrels. Furthermore, many of the Asian countries participating in the exhibition have either long coastlines or a developed network of offshore deposits. For these countries, it is important to have a fleet of aircraft capable of flying over both land and sea, and the Mi-171A3 is the perfect solution.
The aircraft was developed to meet the needs of oil and gas companies. It is designed to transport people and cargo to offshore drilling platforms and to carry out offshore search and rescue operations.
The Mi-171A3 helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 13 tonnes. It is capable of carrying up to 4 tonnes and, with additional fuel tanks, has a flight range of 1,000 km. With a maximum seating capacity of 24 passengers, which is the highest capacity among mass-produced offshore helicopters. On top of this, it meets up-to-date safety requirements. It is equipped with new onboard piloting equipment for use over the sea and featureless terrain. The fuselage and fuel system have an accident-resistant design and can withstand overloads of up to 20 G. In addition, the fuel tanks are located inside the fuselage, beneath the floor.
All cabin windows have a push-out design and can be used for emergency evacuation. The Mi-171A3 helicopter is fitted with an automatic emergency landing system and externally deployable life rafts.
The Ansat lightweight multipurpose helicopter is available in various configurations, including passenger transport, ambulance, and search and rescue versions, all of which are in high demand in the Asia-Pacific region.
The aircraft’s key advantages include its spacious convertible cabin and its low life-cycle operating costs. The Ansat helicopter is low-maintenance and does not require a hangar for storage. It can also be prepared for take-off quickly and land on small, unequipped sites, such as motorways or small clearings in dense urban areas. Thanks to its design, the helicopter can be quickly transformed into a cargo or passenger version. On top of that, the Ansat helicopter is certified for operation in temperatures as high as 50°C, making it suitable for tropical climates.
The challenging mountainous flying conditions and threat of forest fires in Malaysia mean that specialised helicopters are needed in the air fleet. Operators from various countries agree that the Ka-32 is one of the best firefighting helicopters. About 190 helicopters of this model are in operation in more than 20 countries.
At the show, Russian Helicopters is exhibiting the upgraded Ka-32A11M featuring a new Russian-made SP-32 fire extinguishing system. In terms of efficiency, the helicopter surpasses its foreign counterparts: it can lift and deliver up to 4,000 litres of water and 400 litres of firefighting foam in one flight. The upgraded aircraft features digital controls and enhanced water intake and discharge ergonomics.
In addition, the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA) will be displaying the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter at the static display. The BOMBA has many years of experience operating Russian Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters, during which time these aircraft have proven highly efficient and reliable.
The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), the largest event of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, has been held since 1991. It is held every two years
