Vietnamese helicopters use VK-2500 engines and have Richag-AV systems?

Vietnam signs helicopter engine repair contract with Russia

According to Russian media, the Russian Engine Manufacturing Corporation and the Vietnamese Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company (VNHS) are expected to sign a framework contract to repair engines of Russian-made helicopters currently operating in Vietnam.

The press service of the corporation told reporters on April 13 that, within the framework of the Vietnam Expo 2018 exhibition held in Hanoi, the Russian corporation and the Vietnamese airline VNHS have agreed on a long-term cooperation agreement, which will be confirmed by an official contract on engine repair for helicopters.

"The framework contract between the Corporation and VNHS provides for the repair of TV3-117VM/WMA engines and other aircraft components, along with the supply of spare parts," the Russian press service said in a statement.

According to this document, at present, Vietnam is operating about 100 helicopters manufactured by the Soviet Union and Russia (Mi-8/17, Ka-32 and other types), equipped with turbine engines of the TV3-117 family (manufactured by the Saint-Petersburg enterprise of the “Klimov Corporation”).

According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the Vietnam People's Air Force is using 67 Mi-17 and Mi-171 helicopters, along with about 69 Mi-8s, making Vietnam the country with the largest Mil Mi helicopter fleet in Southeast Asia.

However, most of Vietnam's helicopters are old and need to be upgraded and modernized to both improve transport and combat capabilities and extend the life of the aircraft. This shows that the need for upgrading in the near future is very large, something that Russia cannot ignore.

Vietnam helicopterMalemay be equipped with the latest Russian engines

In addition, according to this announcement, the Russian Engine Manufacturing Corporation has also proposed to Vietnam to replace the old TV3-117 engine on these helicopters with a more powerful modern product, the VK-2500. This is the latest generation of Russian engines.

The Klimov VK-2500 is a high-performance turboshaft aircraft engine developed by the Kirill Klimov Design and Experimental Bureau as a derivative of the TV7-117VMA engine. It was developed as a replacement for the aging TV3-117VMA-SB3 engine.

Development of the VK-2500 was carried out in Klimov from December 1994, after military-technical cooperation with Ukraine became strained, due to Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula into its territory, and the civil war that broke out in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.

The VK-2500 was created with the aim of creating a high-power engine that can operate for a long time in high-temperature conditions for use in helicopters such as the Ka-50, Ka-52 and Mi-28.

Although this engine is similar to the VK-1500 in size and weight, its power has been significantly increased. The VK-2500 is equipped with a new air compressor turbine system that allows it to increase air pressure and power compared to the old engine.

The VK-2500 has a take-off power of 1,790 kW (2,400 shp) and in emergency it can reach 2,013 kW (2,700 shp). It can operate effectively in hot and thin air areas such as high mountains or places with extremely hot weather and temperature.

Klimov also developed electronic control systems to optimize the performance of the engine as well as the helicopter it is equipped with.

If equipped with new engines, the efficiency of Vietnam's Mil and Ka helicopters will be greatly improved, extending their service life as well as the time required for repair and overhaul.

Vietnamese helicopters may be equipped with Richag-AV

In addition, there is information that Vietnam is also looking at the helicopter upgrade package that Russia offers to Latin American countries. The upgrade package will have very impressive modernization items, including the installation of optical-electronic protection systems against missiles and anti-aircraft guns.

In the transport/combat helicopter variant, Russia proposes to install additional digital integrated electronics, new engines, improved rotors and upgraded gearboxes, optical-electronic protection systems against missiles and anti-aircraft artillery, as well as other modern equipment.

According to the Russian defense industry, in this major upgrade package for Latin American and Caribbean countries, Moscow will export Richag-AV electronic warfare systems to countries using Russian helicopters.

With Vietnam alone owning a number of aircraft equal to 1/3 of the American countries, experts have affirmed that Vietnam is Russia's most potential market. Therefore, not only VK-2500 engines, if Vietnam wants to buy Richag-AV, Russia will also be willing to sell.