Russian Helicopters partner for growth in Iranian market

Fanavaran will become the official representative of the Russian holding company in Iran. Its business will include interaction with buyers of Russian rotorcraft in the country, local marketing and advertising support for Russian Helicopters.

Russian Helicopters is planning to market civil versions of the medium multi-role Mi-171 helicopters and the light multi-role Ka-226T upgraded for operations in mountainous terrains. The light multi-role Ka-62 is considered for the long-term.

Today Iran is the largest rotorcraft operator in the Middle East. Most of its fleet consists of military helicopters and only about 50 are used commercially. Russian Helicopters forecasts up to 60% growth of the Iranian commercial helicopter fleet in the next 10 years. It is reasonable to expect such demand due to increased interest towards Russian rotorcraft.

“We are happy to see growth of the Iranian fleet of Russian-made rotorcraft. Mi and Ka service and maintenance centres are currently successfully developing in neighbouring countries and this will make operations a lot more convenient in Iran itself. In the mid-term we hope to see diversification of the line-up ordered by Iranian customers and are looking into establishing a joint Russian-Iranian MRO centre in Iran,” said Andrei Shibitov, the Russian Helicopters chief operating officer

“The Russian Mi-8/17 are successfully operated in Iran. We have a feeling that such a durable and reliable helicopter was made for the trying climatic conditions of our region. We hope to achieve positive and lengthy cooperation with Russian Helicopters and to see other Russian helicopter models in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Kamran Shahin, Managing Director of Fanavaran