Russia to Replace French Engine in KA-226T Helicopters with Locally-made Powerplant

Russia’s Rostec has commenced developing a new engine, VK-650V, to replace the Turbomeca (Safran) Arrius 2G1 in its KA-226T multi-purpose helicopter.

Rostec, the holding company of Russian Helicopters announced today, “VK-650V engine, which will replace imported power plants for Ka-226T helicopters, has been assembled and installed on a test bench at the UEC-Klimov. Its preparation for engineering tests is nearing completion.”

U.S. and European Union defence and dual-use products export to Russia have been barred under sanctions. This move blocks previously agreed deals for use of Western parts and equipment in Russian defense products.

The new engine has a take-off power of 650 hp. It can also power Ansat-U, VRT-500 and foreign helicopters of the same payload class. Based on the results of the upcoming tests, the engine design will be fine-tuned. In future, the power plant will also be adapted for use in drones and light aircraft. 

It is planned to be certified in 2023; and by 2024, serial production of the engine will begin.

The test bench includes a new power frame and a hydraulic brake, a fuel-oil system specially designed for the size of the VK-650V engine, and a modern control room.

“The test bench was created in a very short time, a large cooperation of the UEC and Rostec enterprises is involved in the project. The task is to make a simple and reliable unit in operation, having an optimal combination of power characteristics, weight and dimensions, fuel consumption and price. We plan to manufacture prototypes in 2021–2022, and in 2023 to receive a certificate for this engine, and then start mass production,” said Yury Shmotin, Deputy General Director - General Designer of UEC.