TIME TO CONSOLIDATE

“Krasnaya zvezda” newspaper 13.10.2006

Integration processes are growing stronger in Russian aviation industry. The government policy in this area is aimed first of all to create a new structure of national aviation industry, to strengthen the export potential of our aircraft which frequently have no analogues in the world.

An official declaration of officials of leading Russian helicopter design bureaus has been published in “Krasnaya zvezda” (Red star). Here is the text of the declaration which has been signed by I.P. Pshenichny, Director General of “Kamov” PLC, S.V.Miheev, General Designer of “Kamov” PLC, A.B.Shibitov, Director General of “Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant” PLC, A.G.Samusenko, General Designer of “Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant” PLC:

“The establishment in 2004 of an integrated structure on the basis of “OPK Oboronprom” (united defense industries) PLC holding Company, uniting all national helicopter-building enterprises including “Kamov” PLC and “Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant” PLC – the leading helicopter producers in the world - was one of the most important result of implementing the Federal program for Russian Federation  defense-industry complex restructure and development.

The main purpose of establishing the holding Company is formation of modern relations between labor and management in helicopter production, recovery of administrative and scientific and technical relations between separate enterprises of the industry. The establishment of the holding Company will enable optimum allocation of governmental funds for efficient scientific and technical activity, will keep the unique traditions of national rotorcraft manufacture, will cease unfair competitiveness and enable recovery of constructive cooperation and mutual assistance. The new holding Company will help national manufacturers to effectively compare on the world markets and will attract investments in new projects.

Russian helicopter manufacturers have achieved great success. Tests and certification of Ansat and Ka-226 new helicopters have been completed. Flight tests of the Mi-38 prospective helicopter of higher capacity have been started. New modifications of the Ka-32, Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters are developed, introduced in serial production and operation. Productionizing of the Mi-28N round-the-clock strike helicopter and the Ka-52 all-weather round-the-clock reconnaissance-combat helicopters and a decision of Russian Federation MoD to purchase Ka-50 strike helicopters were the most important events recently.

The export potential of Russian combat helicopters is also considered to be high. Their design, production and introduction in operation are carried out in conditions of forming “OPK Oboronprom” PLC - the integrated helicopter-building structure.

As the leaders of helicopter design bureaus, we officially declare common technical and economical policy of “Kamov” PLC and “Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant” PLC being a part of “OPK Oboronprom” PLC helicopter-building holding, and we declare our objection against any efforts to doubt this  position both in national and international mass media. Unfortunately, publications based on insinuations and suppositions have been appeared that force us to clarify the truth by this declaration.

We are common in our support of the governmental policy of recovery, strengthening and integration of national defense-industry complex and helicopter-building industry as a part of it.

Together we look into the future with confidence!