Kamov unhappy at Mil's lack of interest in joint international maintenance centres

Published: 2/16/2000

Veniamin Kasyanikov, Deputy General Manager of the Kamov company, has claimed that the plant is being hindered in its efforts to export the Ka-32 by a lack of maintenance infrastructure internationally. According to Kasyanikov, the much-vaunted sales to the Canada have to be supported by spare parts being flown into Canada from the plant, as required. Kamov has proposed that it combines forces with Mil to create several support and maintenance centres, where the Mi-8/17 operate along with Kamov products. So far, this has not yielded any response. According to Kasyanikov, this indicates that Mil values its independence over more commercial considerations. Despite tough global conditions the Russian helicopter industry appears to be driven by traditional rivalries emphasised by the failure on the part of Mil to look at the potential for a joint maintenance network. The success of the helicopter, when it does enter service, will depend on the provision of reasonable backup and, if P&WC and Eurocopter take that role, it will further remove Russian companies from the lucrative support market.

Article ID: 1425