Russian Helicopters
A Rostec-controlled Russian holding company that combines helicopter design bureaus, manufacturing plants, component suppliers, repair organizations, and service businesses.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Russian Helicopters is a Russian aerospace holding company responsible for a large part of the country's helicopter design, production, repair, and support infrastructure. The company operates under Rostec and brings together the two principal Russian helicopter design traditions represented by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and the Kamov Design Bureau, together with manufacturing organizations including Kazan Helicopters, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Rostvertol, Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, and Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company. Its wider industrial network also includes component manufacturers, repair facilities, simulator activities, and service and marketing organizations. The holding was created during the consolidation of Russia's defense-industrial assets. It originated in 2006 as a subsidiary of Oboronprom, after helicopter manufacturing assets were transferred into that structure, and the integration of design, production, maintenance, and commercial functions was substantially developed in 2007. By the end of 2010, the holding had obtained controlling stakes in the principal Russian helicopter manufacturing plants. This structure gave Russian Helicopters a vertically integrated position spanning preliminary design, serial production, modernization, overhaul, training, and customer support. Its portfolio covers light, medium, medium-heavy, and heavy helicopters for military, civil, emergency-services, utility, transport, and specialized applications. Major families associated with the holding include the Mi-8/Mi-17 medium transport series, the Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter, the Ka-32 utility helicopter, and military platforms from the Mil and Kamov lines. The group has also pursued newer civilian rotorcraft, unmanned systems, high-speed helicopter concepts, and naval helicopter development. Its VRT300 and BAS-200 unmanned aircraft projects extend the business beyond conventional crewed helicopters into monitoring, logistics, mapping, infrastructure inspection, and remote-sensing applications. Russian Helicopters has historically marketed aircraft internationally, with customers and operators reported across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The Ka-32A11BC received European Union operating certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's predecessor, EASA, in 2009, supporting commercial use in European airspace. The company has also used joint ventures and international partnerships to pursue local assembly, distribution, and product development. These efforts included the HeliVert venture with AgustaWestland for AW139 production in Russia and later cooperation involving VR Technologies and partners in the United Arab Emirates. The company remains closely connected to Russia's state defense-industrial system. Its military business, government programs, export relationships, and access to domestic industrial capabilities have made it one of the country's most important rotorcraft manufacturers. At the same time, international sanctions and restrictions have affected partnerships, foreign investment, component supply, and overseas commercialization. The company continues to manufacture helicopters, provide repair and service activities, and develop crewed and uncrewed rotorcraft, although its international operating environment is more constrained than during the expansion of the 2010s.
History
Russian Helicopters emerged from the restructuring of Russia's helicopter industry in the 2000s. The holding was established in 2006 as a subsidiary of Oboronprom, a state-linked defense-industrial organization, after major helicopter assets were transferred into the parent structure. In 2007, the business was organized around a broad production and support chain that included the Mil and Kamov design bureaus, serial-production plants, component suppliers, repair facilities, simulator manufacturing, and service and marketing companies. The consolidation sought to preserve Russia's two major rotorcraft engineering schools while creating a single industrial platform able to manage development, manufacturing, modernization, and customer support. The network included Kazan Helicopters, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, Rostvertol, Stupino Engineering Production Enterprise, Vpered, the Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant, and other specialized organizations. By the end of 2010, Russian Helicopters had consolidated controlling interests in the principal Russian helicopter manufacturing plants. The company expanded its international profile during the early 2010s. In 2009, the Ka-32A11BC received EASA certification, allowing approved European operators to use the aircraft commercially. In 2011, Russian Helicopters attempted to float shares in London, but the proposed offering was postponed because of weak demand. The same year it issued exchange-traded bonds and formed HeliVert with AgustaWestland to assemble AW139 helicopters in the Moscow region. The Russian-assembled AW139 made its first flight in December 2012, although the venture produced only a limited number of helicopters before the partnership's broader product-development plans were discontinued. A proposed single-engine light helicopter project was terminated in 2014 after the partners concluded that the market did not support a commercially viable product. The holding continued to promote its traditional Mil and Kamov families while developing service infrastructure and seeking foreign customers. It delivered aircraft to markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. In 2015, it displayed a mobile service center and reported deliveries of Ka-32A11BC helicopters to China. In 2016, the group delivered aircraft to customers in 13 countries and ended cooperation with Ukrainian engine producer Motor Sich, reflecting the increasingly difficult political and industrial relationship between Russia and Ukraine. In 2017, the Russian Direct Investment Fund assembled a consortium of Middle Eastern investors for a proposed minority investment. The transaction was described as involving an initial 12 percent stake and capital intended for new helicopter development, investment programs, and possible acquisitions. The group also pursued newer rotorcraft concepts. It presented the VRT300 unmanned aircraft in 2018, developed a preliminary high-speed synchrocopter concept in 2019, and displayed the BAS-200 unmanned helicopter at MAKS-2021. These programs targeted infrastructure inspection, emergency response, mapping, Arctic operations, remote sensing, and cargo delivery. International cooperation became more difficult after the introduction and expansion of sanctions affecting Russian defense and aerospace companies. Russian Helicopters' work with UAE-linked partners on the VRT500 and VRT300 eventually split in 2023, with the partners citing sanctions-related constraints. The company had also established Alpha Aviation with AJ Holding in 2021 to promote and sell Russian civilian helicopters internationally. Its export and partnership model has since operated under tighter restrictions. Russian Helicopters remains a Rostec-controlled holding company and a central part of Russia's helicopter manufacturing system. Its business combines legacy aircraft families, military procurement, civil and utility helicopters, overhaul and support, components, and emerging uncrewed systems. Production has varied by year, reflecting defense orders, export conditions, supply constraints, and the changing commercial environment.
- 2023
UAE VRT partnership ends
[1]An Emirati partner separated from Russian Helicopters over sanctions-related complications affecting development and commercialization.
- 2021
BAS-200 presented
[1]Russian Helicopters introduced the BAS-200 unmanned helicopter for monitoring and cargo applications.
- 2018
VRT300 unveiled
[1]The company presented the VRT300 unmanned aircraft in Arctic-monitoring and extended-range configurations.
- 2014
Light-helicopter joint project terminated
[1]The proposed single-engine light helicopter project with AgustaWestland was ended after the partners judged it commercially unviable.
- 2011
IPO postponed and HeliVert formed
[1]A proposed London IPO was postponed, while Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland created HeliVert for AW139 assembly in Russia.
- 2009
Ka-32A11BC receives EASA certification
[1]The Ka-32A11BC was certified for commercial operation in European airspace.
- 2007
Design and production network consolidated
[1]Mil, Kamov, major production plants, component suppliers, repair organizations, and service entities were brought into an integrated holding structure.
- 2006
Holding established under Oboronprom
[1]Russian Helicopters was created as a subsidiary of Oboronprom to consolidate Russian helicopter manufacturing assets.
Products and positioning
Vertically integrated Russian military and civil rotorcraft manufacturer with strong state-industrial backing and a broad legacy product base.
Medium transport and utility helicopters
Mi-8/Mi-17 family
The Mi-8/Mi-17 family is one of the holding's most recognizable product lines. These medium helicopters serve military transport, utility, cargo, passenger, emergency, and civil-support missions. The family has been produced in numerous configurations and remains an important part of Russian Helicopters' domestic and export portfolio.
Heavy-lift helicopter
Mi-26
The Mi-26 is a heavy-lift helicopter associated with Rostvertol and the Mil design tradition. It is used for transporting outsized cargo, supporting construction and industrial work, disaster response, and military logistics. Its very high lift capacity makes it a flagship of the company's heavy-rotorcraft range.
Civil utility helicopter
Ka-32
The coaxial-rotor Ka-32 is a utility helicopter used for firefighting, construction lifting, cargo work, and other specialized operations. The Ka-32A11BC variant received EASA certification in 2009, helping establish an international commercial presence, particularly in firefighting and utility roles.
Attack and reconnaissance helicopter
Ka-52
The Ka-52 is a military attack and reconnaissance helicopter from the Kamov design tradition. It uses a coaxial rotor arrangement and is intended for armed reconnaissance, battlefield support, and command functions. The navalized Ka-52K variant has also been developed for shipborne operations.
Unmanned aircraft · 2018
VRT300
The VRT300 is an unmanned aircraft project with a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 300 kilograms. Its proposed roles include Arctic ice reconnaissance, infrastructure inspection, remote sensing, mapping, emergency response, and cargo-related missions. Demonstrator configurations included a side-looking radar version and a longer-range observation version.
Unmanned helicopter · 2021
BAS-200
The BAS-200 is an unmanned helicopter displayed with a vehicle-mounted control center. It was presented for terrain monitoring, infrastructure and industrial observation, search operations, and delivery of cargo weighing up to approximately 50 kilograms. The stated endurance was up to four hours.
Twin-engine multipurpose helicopter · 2012
AW139 Russian assembly
Through HeliVert, Russian Helicopters pursued local assembly of the AgustaWestland AW139 at a facility in the Moscow region. The first Russian-assembled aircraft flew in 2012. The venture produced a limited number of helicopters, including VIP-configured aircraft, before the wider cooperation was discontinued.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014PFC CSKA Moscow sponsorship
Russia
Russian Helicopters became an official sponsor of professional football club PFC CSKA Moscow.
Outcome. The arrangement increased the brand's visibility in Russian professional sport.
- 2013Russian Helicopters cycling sponsorship
Russia
The holding sponsored a title road-cycling team intended to support young Russian cyclists.
Outcome. The sponsorship expanded the company's domestic sports-marketing activity.
- 2012Caterham motorsport and technology partnership
Russia · International
Russian Helicopters partnered with Caterham Group and became an official partner of the Caterham Formula One team. The cooperation combined motorsport promotion, international marketing, and proposed work involving composites and high technology.
Outcome. The partnership supported brand promotion and technology-oriented cooperation.
- 2011London IPO promotional campaign
United Kingdom · International investment market
Ahead of its proposed London listing, Russian Helicopters conducted a high-profile international advertising campaign, including a full-page Times advertisement depicting an Mi-26 near Buckingham Palace in connection with the wedding of Prince William.
Outcome. The IPO was postponed because demand for the shares was insufficient.
Brand decisions
2023
Separation from UAE-linked VRT development partnershipStrategyBackground
Russian Helicopters had worked with UAE-linked investors and partners on the VRT500 and VRT300, but sanctions complicated international cooperation and commercialization.
Action taken
The Emirati partner ended the cooperation and continued development independently.
Aftermath
The separation highlighted the effect of sanctions on Russian aerospace partnerships and overseas product development.
2021
BAS-200 unmanned helicopter programProduct launchBackground
The holding sought to diversify from conventional helicopters into remotely operated aircraft for monitoring, logistics, and industrial applications.
Action taken
Russian Helicopters presented the BAS-200 at MAKS-2021 and signed an agreement with Russian Post to examine use of BAS-200 and VRT300 aircraft in Chukotka.
Aftermath
The program remained associated with development and prospective operational use rather than a clearly documented large-scale commercial rollout.
2014
Termination of proposed light-helicopter programStrategyBackground
Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland had explored a jointly developed single-engine light helicopter after their AW139 cooperation.
Action taken
The partners ended the project after concluding that the market segment could not support a commercially viable product.
Aftermath
The companies continued to have a narrower history of cooperation through the AW139 assembly venture, but the proposed light helicopter did not enter production.
2011
Postponement of proposed London IPOOtherBackground
Russian Helicopters sought an international public-market listing during a period of expansion and investor interest in Russian defense companies.
Action taken
The company postponed the offering after market demand for the shares was judged too weak.
Aftermath
The company remained under its existing ownership structure and later pursued other financing and investment arrangements.
Recent events
- 2023
UAE partner ends cooperation on VRT projects[1]
M&A · Regulation
An Emirati partner separated from Russian Helicopters on development of the VRT500 and VRT300, citing the complications created by sanctions.
- 2021
Russian Helicopters presents BAS-200 unmanned helicopter[1]
Product launch
The BAS-200 was shown as a remotely operated logistics and monitoring helicopter, with a mobile control center and a payload capacity intended for cargo missions.
- 2021
Russian Helicopters and Russian Post sign unmanned-aircraft cooperation agreement[1]
Other
The parties agreed to examine use of BAS-200 and VRT300 aircraft for deliveries and related operations in Chukotka.
- 2018
Russian Helicopters presents VRT300 unmanned aircraft[1]
Product launch
The company unveiled a 300-kilogram unmanned aircraft in variants intended for Arctic ice reconnaissance and industrial monitoring.
- 2011
Russian Helicopters postpones London stock-market flotation[1]
Other
A planned London IPO was postponed after demand for the shares proved insufficient.
- 2011
Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland establish HeliVert[1]
M&A · Product launch
The companies created a Russian joint venture to assemble AW139 multipurpose helicopters.
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