Russian Helicopters last year delivered 31 emergency medical services (EMS)-configured rotorcraft within a framework agreement with the country's state-owned transport lessor GTLK.

The shipments comprised 12 Kazan Ansat light-twins and 19 Mil Mi-8s, the airframer says, and are part of a government programme to increase the provision of rapid medical care in remote regions.

In 2017, the manufacturer handed over 29 units under the same programme.

Russia is creating a unified air ambulance service, for which Russian Helicopters is a key supplier.

"At the end of 2018, the air ambulance development programme involved 60 helicopters saving lives in 34 regions of our country," says Andrey Boginsky, director general of Russian Helicopters.

Source: FlightGlobal.com