Ukraine will spend almost four billion hryvnias on the development of helicopters

 

 Ukraine will spend almost 4 billion hryvnias on the Domestic Helicopters program over 10 years, and the exact amount of funding for the subcontract in aircraft construction is 3,871 million hryvnias.

This is stated in the State Targeted Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of the Aviation Industry for 2021-2030 published by the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, with reference to the UMP.

It includes innovative research and development necessary for the creation and certification of domestic multi-purpose light helicopter with a takeoff weight of 4-5 tons.

Funding will consist of appropriations from the state budget in the amount of UAH 350 million and UAH 214.5 million of own funds of enterprises.

This amount in terms of dollars is 20.3 million US dollars, which is not comparable to the development of modern helicopters of this class.

For example, in the Republic of Korea, on June 25, 2015, Korea Aerospace Industries received a contract to develop a light helicopter in military and civilian versions.

The creation of the military version of the LAH is estimated at 587 million dollars (650 billion South Korean won), and the civilian LCH - about 316 million dollars (350 billion South Korean won).

Another $ 200 billion is being invested in development by South Korean company KAI and $ 400 billion by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus Helicopters, which has been a development partner. That is, the total cost of developing the two versions is 1,600 billion won, which is about $ 1.5 billion.

The State Research Institute for Weapons Testing and Certification mentioned in its report that the development of an initial flight training helicopter for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a modernization of a Soviet Mi-2 helicopter.
Photo: Sergei Tomko

That is, a certain amount of funding is the cost of modernization of this helicopter, by the way, in January 2021 it became known that the Joint Stock Company "Motor Sich" will create a marine version of the Mi-2 helicopter commissioned by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

In addition to the costs of modernizing the Mi-2, Ukraine will finance the creation of the main helicopter reducers of all types for the total amount of 805.6 million hryvnias (500 million hryvnias of state funding and another 305.6 million hryvnias - funds of enterprises).

Helicopter gearbox repaired at Motor Sich JSC Photo by the company's press service

Innovative research and development required to create the propeller and rudder blades of helicopters of all types will cost 2419.4 million hryvnias (1500 million hryvnias - state funding and 919.4 - funds of enterprises). Innovative research and development required to create an electric tail propeller system for light and medium helicopters will cost 80.6 million hryvnias.