RN-Aircraft, based in Krasnoyarsk in south central Russia and a subsidiary of oil and gas company Rosneft, has signed a purchase agreement for ten Viking Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft to be delivered between November 2015 and early 2017. This follows RN-Aircraft's order for ten AW189 helicopters in July of this year.

The Viking aircraft are destined for Krasnoyarsk and will be used in a variety of roles including 19-passenger regional commutes, corporate shuttles and cargo operations. With optional float and wheel or ski installations available, the aircraft can also be modified for use in water or during winter conditions in snow and ice.

Rosneft selected the Twin Otters to operate in remote areas due to its efficiency and reliability in extreme conditions on unprepared ground and short field sites.

Further to the memorandum of understanding announced at the 2010 Farnborough Air Show for the development of a dedicated Twin Otter facility in Russia, discussions are still ongoing between Viking and Moscow-based Series 400 sales representative Vityaz Avia to provide customers such as RN-Aircraft maintenance services in-country.