JSC UEC-Klimov, part of Rostec's United Engine Corporation, and Vietnam's Helicopter Technical Service Company (HeliTechCo) have signed a distributor agreement on maintenance of TV3-117 and VK-2500 civil helicopter engines.

The companies will support the operation of the engines and main gearboxes in 12 Asian countries. To this end, the Center for Integrated Logistics Support will be created in Vũng Tàu in Vietnam by the end of this year.

Within the framework of the deal HeliTechCo, which provides maintenance of Russian‑built helicopters, will distribute TV3-117 and VK-2500 civil helicopter engines designed by UEC-Klimov in Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Australia, India, China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. UEC-Klimov will repair power units, supply engines, components, assemblies and spare parts, and train staff in the maintenance of civil engines and VR-12/VR-252 main helicopter gearboxes.

“By developing a system of after-sales support of aircraft engines in Asia, we will be able to increase the attractiveness of our products for local customers. Our offer to our partners is not an individual product; it comprises the whole range of related maintenance services. We are ready to provide support of the power units throughout their lifecycle. Such an approach will help reduce the duration of engine maintenance and repair and lower the machine operation costs,” notes Anatoly Serdyukov, industrial director of Rostec's aviation cluster.

The Center for Integrated Logistics Support of UEC-Klimov will be established in Vũng Tàu in Vietnam by the end of this year. It will include a centre for the mid-life repair of civil helicopter engines, a warehouse of spare parts and assemblies, and a representative office for UEC-Klimov. The aviation authorities of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam are expected to issue the certificate to the Center in December 2018 after completion of the pilot repair of one engine.

“The negotiations on the cooperation were held within UEC-Klimov's 2018-2022 service development programme. As a result of these negotiations, our enterprise has entered a new market. We believe that we will become reliable partners providing prompt and high quality after-sales support and repair of power units operated not only in Vietnam, but across the entire southeast Asia,” said Alexander Vatagin, CEO of UEC-Klimov.