Russia May Stay Without Ansat Helicopters For Medical Evacuation

Sanctions are effective.

Ansat helicopters, widely used in Russia for civilian flights and medical evacuations, may stop flying because engines made by the Canadian company of Pratt & Whitney cannot be repaired.

The manufacturer refuses to service Russian equipment due to sanctions imposed because of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and there are no certified service centres in Russia or ‘friendly’ countries.

The Moscow Times reports that.

According to the Helicopter Industry Association (HIA), by 2029, the operation of 49 machines may be terminated. In 2025, four helicopters are at risk of not flying, and by 2026 - six more.

A total of 88 Ansat helicopters are used in Russian civil aviation, of which 37 belong to the National Sanitary Aviation Service. Problems with maintaining airworthiness are not only related to the engines.

The design of the helicopter uses critical imported units - French control rods, American and Czech starter generators, as well as actuators made in Europe. Even if the engine can be replaced, other components could paralyse the aircraft's operation.

Russia plans to install domestic VK-650V engines, but this requires creating a new version of the Ansat with different specifications.

The certification process may be delayed until 2026, and serial production - for several more years. In addition, aviation experts doubt the feasibility of such a replacement: it is easier to develop a new model than to adapt the old one to Russian components.

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