Indonesian operator National Unity Helicopters (NUH) is involved with a test operation programme for the Russian Helicopters Mi-8/171 built by the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (U-UAP). The programme aims to assess all the advantages of Russian helicopters in conjunction with the OEM's corporate support tools and aftersales services. Two Mi-8AMT helicopters are already involved in firefighting operations in Indonesia.

The helicopters, which were sent to the Republic of Indonesia with U-UAP crews and technical staff, were relocated to the island of Kalimantan almost immediately upon arrival to extinguish forest fires. In the future, the rotorcraft will be on operational duty on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan.

“A contract with National Utility Helicopters, a utility helicopter operator in Indonesia with 50 years of experience in providing services for the Indonesian government as well as private companies, has become the pilot project of this programme,” confirms Leonid Belykh, managing director of U-UAP. “The main task under the contract is to carry out firefighting operations in the region, as well as provide consulting services regarding the formation of Indonesian operators' own fleets for annual firefighting operations.”

As part of the short term contract, NUH has been given the opportunity to consult the OEM's specialists on a 24/7 basis and has access to replacement and additional equipment funds.

One of the first Mi-171A2 helicopters manufactured by U-UAP has been participating in a test operation programme at UTair-Helicopter Services since 2018, where it has fulfilled the tasks facing the operator and demonstrated favourable flight performance. The experience gained through the joint work of U-UAP and UTair has been reflected in the U-UAP helicopter test operation programme for Indonesia.

Mi-8/171 helicopters have been involved for a long time in disaster relief operations. They have proved to be an effective tool for firefighting, medicine delivery and casualty evacuation operations, as well as in passenger and cargo transportation to hard-to-reach areas.

During the 80 years of its existence the Ulan-Ude plant has produced more than 8,000 aircraft. Today the plant specialises in the production of Mi-8AMT (Mi-171E), Mi-171 and Mi-8AMTSh (Mi-171Sh) helicopters.