Russian Helicopters has underlined the strategic importance of the Middle East and Africa for its rotorcraft portfolio, highlighting the region as one of its key markets. According to the company, more than 20% of the total helicopter fleet operating across Africa and the Middle East has been produced by the Russian Helicopters holding. Head of Marketing at Russian Helicopters, Dmitry Zuykov, spoke to Defensehere.com.
“This region is one of the key markets for Russian helicopters, and more than 20% of the helicopter fleet here has been produced by our company,” Zuykov said, stressing the long-standing presence of Russian-made platforms in regional operations.
The company is showcasing two helicopters in particular: the Ansat-M and the Ka-32.11M. The Ansat-M is a light-class helicopter capable of transporting up to eight passengers. It is fully equipped with Russian engines and avionics and offers a flight range of approximately 660 kilometers. The helicopter is especially suited for emergency medical services (EMS), thanks to what the company describes as the largest cabin in its class.
“The Ansat-M has the biggest cabin in this class, allowing medical teams to provide first aid during the flight for adults, children and even newborns,” Zuykov explained, highlighting its role in medical evacuation and airborne care.
The second platform, the Ka-32.11M, builds on the proven Ka-32 family, which is widely used worldwide for firefighting and search-and-rescue missions. The upgraded version retains the strengths of earlier models while integrating Russian engines and avionics. It can carry up to five tons on an external sling and perform highly precise water drops on active fires.
“With the Ka-32.11M, we preserved all the advantages of previous models while adding new Russian engines and avionics,” Zuykov noted. The helicopter can also be equipped with the SB-32 firefighting system featuring a water cannon, making it particularly effective for tackling fires in skyscrapers and high-rise urban environments.
Together, the Ansat-M and Ka-32.11M illustrate Russian Helicopters’ focus on multi-role platforms tailored for medical, rescue and firefighting missions across demanding operational environments.
