The intent of the Russian Helicopters holding company to carry on with the development of the Mil Mi-38 future multirole medium-lift helicopter to unveil it on the market in 2015 was reaffirmed during the HeliRussia 2012 show in May. During the programme presentation, it was said that the Mi-38’s only competitor was the Agusta Westland AW101 that has enjoyed good demand.

The second Mi-38 (OP-2) prototype powered by Pratt &Whitney Canada PW127TS engines is in trials now. Last year, the first prototype (OP-1) was converted to the Mi-382 version equipped with Russian-made TV7-117V turboshafts. The beginning of the flight tests has been put off till summer due to the need of debugging the main gearbox. Meanwhile, Kazan Helicopters is completing the third prototype (OP-3), with the TV7-117V engines having been delivered to the manufacturer to fit it. In addition, the OP-4’s construction has begun, with the prototype to serve as the baseline model for subsequent full-scale production.

The Russian Helicopters holding company is completing the certification tests of the upgraded Kamov Ka-226T light multipurpose coaxial helicopter. Production of the Allison 250-C20B-powered baseline Ka-226 is under way at Kumertau Aircraft Production Enterprise, Russian Helicopters holding company subsidiary, and Strela Production Association in Orenburg. The machine was productionised in 2000. The plant in Kumertau has specialised mostly in fulfilling orders awarded by Russian uniformed agencies, e.g. the Ministry of Interior and Federal Security Service Aviation Department that have taken about 15 aircraft of the type to date. The company in Orenburg has had orders awarded by the Gazpromavia company and Russian Emergencies Ministry. In addition, PA Strela delivered two Ka-226s in 2008, which are operated in the flying ambulance role in the Orenburg Region.

In mid-May 2013, the Ilyushin Il-76MD-90A (Aircraft 476) upgraded airlifter prototype made last year by the Ulyanovsk-based Aviastar plant passed its flight development tests in Zhukovsky in the Moscow Region. Now, it has to take its official trials. Once they are passed, the Il-76MD-90A is to enter service with the Military Transport Command of the Russian Air Force.

No doubt, the star of the fifth HeliRussia 2012 international helicopter show held at the Crocus Expo centre in Moscow on 17–19 May 2012 was Kamov Ka-62 advanced medium helicopter full-size mock-up set up in the middle of the exposition of the Russian Helicopters holding company. The mock-up’s manufacture had been time to the date of the show. It offers the full grasp of the appearance of the future Russian helicopter with a takeoff weight of 6.5 t, designed for carriage of 15 passengers of 2,000 t of cargo (2,500 kg on the external sling).

While looking the same as known military Ka-60, the commercial Ka-62, which being developed with an eye on the upcoming certification both in Russia and in the EU, has a number of significant differences. Let us dwell on just a few of them. Firstly, the powerplant, rotor system and powertrain have been modified. The main rotor has gotten the fifth blade. Introduction of Turbomeca Ardiden 3G engines with the 1,780-hp takeoff power (1,940 hp in the emergency power mode) has resulted in a certain modification to engine nacelles outline. The developer and supplier of the powertrain, including the main and tail rotor gearboxes, is Austrian company Zoerkler.

A brand-new Antonov An-148-100EA (reg. RA-61720) arrived at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport on 21 May 2013. It is the second aircraft of the type the Rossiya special flight detachment has taken delivery of for operating in support of top national leaders.