The first production Mi-171A2 helicopter has completed a test flight at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant owned by Russian Helicopters. The first unit is due to be delivered to Russian operator UTair for experimental operation in polar regions.

The helicopter has been manufactured using digital technology including electronic design documentation. Parts were created with the aid of computers, saving time and resources and reducing waste.

"It is not just an upgraded helicopter, it is a brand new machine with advanced technologies on board and entirely different performance characteristics," states Sergey Chemezov, CEO of parent company Rostec. "I'm sure that it will be popular both domestically and overseas, competing with world-class counterparts in the multirole segment. We are negotiating the aircraft's certification in Latin America and some interest is also being shown by Asian, African and former Soviet Union countries."

Certified by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency since August 2017, the Mi-171A2 is equipped with KBO-17 digital avionics, VK-2500PS-03 engines, X-type anti-torque and all-composite main rotors. As a result, Russian Helicopters says that it has increased thrust by more than 700 kg and boosted maximum cruise speed by 10 per cent.