The first steps of merger within military aviation see Kamov leave the MAPO fold

Published: 9/2/1999

The VPK MAPO and Sukhoi merger, engineered by Yuri Maslyukov, (www.concise.org 4th February 1999), appears to have achieved the first of its goals, with the confirmation that Kamov will emerge as an independent helicopter company, so breaking its links with VPK MAPO. The new company will include the Kumertau plant in Bashkirskaya, north of Orenburg, traditionally the producer of Kamov's naval helicopters and, currently, the Ka-32. It also includes the Arsenyev plant, south of Moscow, which produces the Ka-50 attack helicopter. General Director of Kamov, Sergey Mikheyev, has also speculated that the company may incorporate some of the helicopter manufacturer's major suppliers, including the Voronezh Mechanical plant and the Stupino plant. The absorption of the suppliers may, however, cause some friction between Mil and Kamov. Historically, this has not been the most amicable relationship, particularly of late, with the decision by the Russian government to choose the Ka-50 attack helicopter over the Mi-28. Currently, Stupino is supplying the rotors for the Mi-38, considered by Mil and Kazan, the producer, to be their key project. According to reports, the new company will be owned by the state, but its relative attractiveness may encourage it to look for external investors, particularly given Kamov's Ka-50-2 bid for the $4.5 billion Turkish attack helicopter contract with Israeli Aircraft Industries, due to be decided next year.

Article ID: 818