Russia unveils Ka-62 multipurpose helicopter

MOSCOW - Russia unveiled a new-generation Ka-62 helicopter during the Fifth HeliRussia-2012 exhibition in Moscow on Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said the Ka-62 demonstrates that Russia is planning to build helicopters for both military and commercial purposes.

"You see how beautiful it is, like a swallow. This is a helicopter of an entirely new generation. It demonstrates we have big plans not only regarding military helicopters but also commercial ones," Rogozin said in his speech to the exhibition.

According to Denis Manturov, deputy minister of the Russian Industry and Trade, Ka-62 is expected to be put on the market in 2014. He stressed that the new helicopter would enhance Russia's positions on the international helicopters market.

Ka-62 is a multipurpose helicopter built mostly of the composite materials. It is capable of transporting 14 people or 2,500 kg of cargo.

Meanwhile, Dmitry Petrov, director-general of the state-owned Russian Helicopters holding company, said his company has supplied in 2011 262 helicopters to 19 countries, up 22.4 percent compared with 2010.

The three-day HeliRussia-2012 exhibition has attracted more than 200 companies from 18 countries around the world. The first day of the exhibition was declared as the Day of Russian Helicopters.

Besides Ka-62, the exhibition also shows helicopters of Mi-28NE, Mi-8AMT, Ansat, EC135, ?As 350, AW139, Bell 407, Enstrom 480 , R66, R44, R22, Rumas 10, Rumas 30 of Russian and foreign producers.