Ansat helicopter gets first foreign order

Wuhan Rand Aviation Technology Service is to get Ansats by the end of 2017 (Photo by Russian Helicopters)

The Russian light multi-purpose helicopter Ansat has received its first foreign order. It comes from the Chinese company Wuhan Rand Aviation Technology Service Co, reported Russian Helicopters holding. The order for two Ansat helicopters in the medical configuration was announced at an aviation salon in Zhuhai, in southern China.

These two aircraft are set to be handed over to the Chinese company by the end of 2017. Wuhan Rand also signed an agreement with an option for the purchase of six more, which are expected to be delivered by the start of 2019.

Until now, Russian Helicopters received orders for the Ansat only from Russian customers, including the Ministry of Health of Tatarstan and private operator Russian Helicopter Systems.

Ansat is manufactured by Russian Helicopters’ subsidiary — Kazan Helicopters. It has a maximum take-off weight of 3,600 kg and can carry up to 8 passengers or 1,234 kg of payload.

Besides the Ansats, Wuhan Rand placed orders for two Mi-171s and one Ka-32, with an option in the contract to purchase four more Mi-171s and three Ka-32s.