Russian Helicopters and UAE-based AJ Holding have set up a joint venture called Alpha Aviation in the UAE's Ajman Free Zone to promote and sell Russian civilian helicopters abroad.

The key market for Alpha Aviation will be the Middle East, where it is expected to sell more than 20 civilian helicopters of various types, including the Ansat, Mi-171A2, Ka-32 and Mi-38, by 2026. The scope of responsibility of the joint venture also includes the organisation of service and maintenance for Russian helicopters in the region.

"AJ Holding is a reliable partner for the promotion of our civilian products in the Middle East," says Russian Helicopters director general Andrey Boginsky. "The joint venture format will allow us to expand our presence in a region that is extremely important for us. The company started operating a few months ago but we can see the results already now: during Dubai Airshow 2021, Alpha Aviation signed a contract for the delivery of two Mi-171A2 helicopters to Peru and an agreement for the delivery of four Ansat helicopters and one Mi-17-1V to the police of Ras al Khaimah."