On July 29, 2025, a ceremonial transfer of 10 new Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters took place at the Kazan Helicopter Plant, with representatives from five Russian airlines receiving the aircraft. The new equipment was delivered by the State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK) in cooperation with the Russian Helicopters holding and Rostec State Corporation. This event represents an important step in strengthening transport accessibility to remote and hard-to-reach regions of the country, as well as enhancing the efficiency of medical aviation and emergency response.
Key Details of the Deal
The helicopters are supplied with modern TV3-117VM Series 02 engines, manufactured by the UEC-Klimov enterprise in Saint Petersburg. These engines have long proven themselves as some of the most economical and reliable in their class, performing reliably in various climatic conditions—from Arctic cold to hot regions of Russia.
The delivered helicopters are part of a significant contract for the supply of 86 Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters signed between GTLK and Russian Helicopters. The new helicopters will operate across the Siberian, Ural, and Far Eastern Federal Districts, where aviation often remains the sole link between settlements and critical infrastructure.
Recipients and Areas of Operation
Two helicopters were handed over to Polar Airlines, the primary regional operator in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Polar Airlines plays a crucial role in assuring air transport and medical evacuation services across the vast and often inhospitable terrain of northern Russia. Their fleet renewal with these new helicopters will substantially improve connectivity and emergency medical response capabilities in this important Arctic region.
Another two helicopters were delivered to Taiga Airlines, which operates predominantly in the Sakhalin region. Taiga Airlines is notable for its operations that include flights to offshore drilling platforms, supporting vital energy infrastructure in addition to providing passenger and cargo transport in this geographically challenging region. The incorporation of modern helicopters will enhance their operational reliability and safety.
The Yeltsovka Airlines also acquired two helicopters. This organization provides services to the Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrugs, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and the Tomsk and Novosibirsk Regions. These regions encompass extensive regions of western Siberia that are abundant in natural resources but are characterized by severe weather and inadequate ground infrastructure. The logistics, passenger transport, and emergency response capabilities of this extensive region will be enhanced by the introduction of the new Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters.
Additionally, the Strezhevoy Aviation Enterprise received two helicopters. This organization is accountable for the provision of aviation services in Kamchatka Krai, a peninsula characterized by its limited population, active volcanoes, and rugged terrain. It is essential to maintain dependable air services in this region to support emergency operations, regional development initiatives, and passenger travel.
Finally, ChukotAVIA Airlines, which conducts operations in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, one of Russia’s most remote and difficult regions, received two helicopters. ChukotAVIA’s consistent aviation traffic is essential for the transportation of cargo, medical evacuations, and connectivity in an area where there are few alternatives to air travel due to geography and climate.
Advantages and Technical Specifications
With the capacity to convey up to 23 passengers, each Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter is well-suited for regional passenger transportation. Furthermore, the helicopters are equipped with specially designated locations for the installation of medical modules. This capability allows them to be swiftly converted for medical evacuation and emergency response missions when urgent care or transportation is necessary. The fleet’s versatility and utility in servicing remote communities are significantly enhanced by these multi-role capabilities.
Additionally, the helicopters have been upgraded to facilitate the installation of an external cargo crane, which has significantly increased their load-carrying capabilities. This renders the aircraft indispensable for the transportation of oversized cargo and supplies to regions that are difficult to access by land, such as industrial equipment, humanitarian assistance, and other essential goods.
Furthermore, the Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters may be equipped with external fuel containers, each of which can accommodate 915 liters. This option has the potential to significantly extend their flight range, which is a critical feature for operations in sparsely populated and extensive regions with limited refueling points. The extended range guarantees lengthier nonstop flights, which enhances operational efficiency and mitigates the risks associated with extended missions in isolated territories.
Relevance to Social Infrastructure and Regional Development
In recent years, the volume of orders for civil helicopters has tripled, and GTLK Head Evgeny Ditrikh underscored the company’s leasing program’s popularity. The primary objective of the program is to resolve the socially significant challenges that Russia’s regions encounter, such as the enhancement of transport connections between settlements, the requirements of medical aviation, emergency rescue operations, and firefighting.
Ditrikh observed that the introduction of more contemporary aircraft results in a more rapid improvement in transportation connectivity between villages and district centers, which in turn increases the volumes of passenger, baggage, and cargo transportation. In remote and difficult-to-reach Arctic regions, aviation is the sole year-round mode of communication and travel, and the leasing program directly supports the most efficient transport accessibility for the local population. This program provides enhanced support for essential social services and economic activities, thereby bridging the vast distances and severe natural conditions that are prevalent in large regions of Russia.
Consequently, these new Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters are not merely new aircraft; they serve as a practical and symbolic “bridge of life” for the northern and eastern regions of the nation. They will guarantee safer, more dependable transport and timely medical evacuations, as well as promote sustainable development in some of Russia’s most challenging environments.
Summary
The delivery of 10 new Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters to regional carriers is a big stride toward the systemic renewal of the fleet and the enhancement of the reliability and efficacy of the transport infrastructure in remote regions of the country. These helicopters will reinforce social and economic structures by providing fast and safe transportation, even in the most demanding climatic and geographic conditions, thanks to the flexible integration of medical and cargo modules, advanced technical modifications, and modern TV3-117VM engines.
Russia’s ongoing investment in cutting-edge aviation solutions has significantly enhanced the quality of life for millions of residents in both major regions and small settlements. This investment has provided them with access to sustainable transportation connections, timely medical care, and new opportunities for economic development.
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