Rostec has opened a repair centre in Vietnam to support Klimov helicopter engines used in both civilian and military helicopters.

The centre, located in the coastal city of Vung Tau, will offer local repair capabilities for the TV3-117 and VK-2500 turboshaft engines.

“The Russian side provides the details and spare parts, and trains the personnel for engine and gearbox maintenance,” says Rostec. “The Vietnamese side will provide support personnel to accompany the working process. The Vietnamese specialists have already received certificates from UEC-Klimov on successful familiarisation with the medium repair process of the first engine.”

The first engine repaired was a TV3-117VM from a civilian Mi-17V that suffered foreign object debris damage. Four additional engines will be repaired in April.

Cirium’s Fleets Analyzer shows that Vietnam has 137 in service Russian rotorcraft, all powered by Klimov turbobshafts. These comprising 102 Mi-8 family rotorcraft, which are found in both civilian and military uses, 25 Mi-24 attack helicopters, eight KA-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters, and a pair of KA-32 military multi-role helicopters.

“We plan to actively expand the geography of our cooperation and start providing repair and support services of helicopter engines in India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” says Viktor Kladov, Rostec’s director for international cooperation and regional policy.

Source: FlightGlobal.com