Russia to Buy 7 AW139 Helicopters

Russia’s Defense Ministry is planning to buy seven multirole AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters for 630 million rubles (about $20 million) this year, the Federal Agency for Arms Procurements said Monday.

“An open tender will be announced in February,” it said. Russia started making AW139s at the HeliVert plant last year.

Italy's AgustaWestland and Russian Helicopters signed a preliminary agreement to manufacture AW139 helicopters in Russia at the Farnborough International Airshow in 2008. Final agreements on the establishment of the HeliVert joint venture were signed in summer 2011.

The joint venture is expected to build 15 to 20 helicopters annually. The AW139 has a maximum cruise speed of 306 kilometers (190 miles) per hour, a maximum range of 927 kilometers (576 miles) and a maximum flight time of five hours. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67C turboshaft engines. 

The maximum take-off weight is 6,400 kilograms (14,110 pounds). The helicopter is configured for one or two pilots and can carry up to 15 passengers, or six to eight passengers in a VIP/corporate transport configuration.