Russian Helicopters plans to deliver five Kamov Ka-32A11BCs to Russia's emergency situations ministry in 2011-12 as part of the continuing contract to supply the ministry's aviation department, says the company.

The contract, signed in November 2009, envisages equipping a network of helicopter-borne personnel to perform medevac and search and rescue missions. The programme provisionally calls for 62 light and 123 medium helicopters to be acquired over the course of the contract. The ministry's rescue teams already use a variety of Russian helicopters, including Mil Mi-8 and -17s, Ansats and Ka-226Ts.

Russian Helicopters notes that the Ka-32A11BC's qualities in emergency roles have seen it bought by several nations outside the company's traditional markets, with more than 20 examples being operated in Spain, Portugal and Switzerland for firefighting and medevac missions.

Source: Flight International