Russia Likely To Sign Contract With China On Heavy-Lift Chopper

Russia's Rostec is expecting to sign a general contract to joinly develop a heavy-lift helicopter with China by end of this year.

The development of a heavy-lift helicopter with a take-off weight of 38 tonnes is a respective joint project of Russia and China, Rostec's Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy Department, Victor Kladov, Rostec's Director for International Cooperation and Regional Policy Department said.

"The Chinese helicopter market is very big. It is a competitive market, but we have several advantages. Firstly, Russian equipment is operating in China for a long time without a fail," Kladov told to Sputnik News Friday.

Secondly, it has gained a good reputation, we have good competitive prices and the important thing is that the Chinese consumer got used to our equipment long ago and values it for its reliability and simplicity in operation," Kladov pointed out.

The framework agreement on the development of the heavy helicopter between Rostec's Russian Helicopters and Chinese AVIC was signed in May 2015, when Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin on occasion of the 70th anniversary of victory in the World War II.

China is expected to buy over 200 vehicles until 2040. The 4th China-Russia EXPO opened in Harbin on Thursday and will last until Monday.