Russian Helicopters expands after-sales service offerings

Russian Helicopters has announced that its customers in the CIS and Europe will soon have access to an advanced after-sales service system built on integrated logistical support throughout the helicopter life cycle. After-sales support will be offered through a single centre, Russian Helicopters company, Helicopter Service Company.

The company officially unveiled the system at the Aviasvit-XXI air show in Kiev, and the new procedures will come into force for all of Russian Helicopters’ partners along with a new certification system that is expected to be introduced by the end of 2012.

Russian Helicopters said it plans to expand the range of services it offers in repairing, upgrading and modifying helicopters and helicopter components. Maintenance and after-sales service of Russian-made helicopters will be easier and more efficient thanks to the broad-based introduction of IT into customer service. Helicopter operators or authorised service companies will be able to order spare parts over the internet, and the introduction of electronic documentation for various helicopter models will also make life easier for operators of Russian-built helicopters.

The announcement follows the news released at the recent Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in South Africa, that Russian Helicopters has signed a teaming agreement with Denel Aviation to create a servicing hub for Russian-made military and commercial helicopters in Sub-Saharan Africa. Similar centres are already operational in the EU, CIS, Asia and South America. Under the partnership, Denel Aviation will perform routine maintenance services for military and commercial models produced by Russian Helicopters, which are widely used in Sub-Saharan Africa. The range of after-sales services offered will be gradually expanded, and the South African company will in future be able to undertake complete overhauls of Russian-built helicopters and their components. Russian Helicopters will provide comprehensive support for Denel Aviation.

Separately, the company said the new after-sales service system will help to tackle the problem of counterfeit production, with the company’s enterprises introducing an advanced centralised accounting system for all machines and components delivered to market.