The Motor Sich company (Zaporozhe) has delivered the first batch of modernized and re-motorized multipurpose Mi-8MSB helicopters to the Ministry of Defense, the Interfax Ukraine news agency reports, citing the company's management.
"As of today, the Defense Ministry has already accepted the first three machines, which were assembled for the army as part of a state order. Shipment of the equipment to the customer is expected in the coming days, the period of shipment depends on the customer. Delivery of an additional seven machines to the Ukrainian Armed forces is scheduled for 2015," said a representative of the company’s top management.
In addition, according to him, delivery of three Mi-8MSB helicopters to the Ukrainian National Guard is being prepared for December. "Assembling of the helicopters has been completed. Flight tests are currently underway," he added.
Motor Sich will supply 13 Mi-8MSB helicopters to the Defense Ministry and the National Guard in 2014-2015 under a state order that was placed in October.
In addition, multipurpose Mi-2MSB helicopters are planned for delivery to the army in the coming year. Completion of certification and reception of a type certificate are scheduled for the first half of the year.
The Mi-8MSB and Mi-2MSB helicopters are Ukrainian re-motorized versions of the Soviet multipurpose Mi-8T and Mi-2 helicopters, modernization of which is performed by the Zaporozhe-based company.
The Mi-8MSB helicopters are equipped with the new TV3-117VMA-SBM1-4E turbo-shaft engine, the service life of which is 30% longer. The engine has a capacity of 1,000 horsepower in cruise mode. The Mi-2MSB helicopter is equipped with a new AI-450M engine with a capacity of 465 horsepower. Both helicopter models have new avionics and improved control systems.
Motor Sich is one of the world's largest manufacturers of aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines. The Motor Sich helicopter design bureau was created in Zaporozhe in 2012. In April 2014, Motor Sich began talks with PZL-Swidnik (Poland) on the prospects for joint implementation of the Ukrainian MSB-2 program at facilities in Poland.
