Russia will launch the production of a batch of light Mi-34 helicopters with a new domestic VK-650V engine. This was reported by the "Business Online" publication.
According to the source, the plan for 2025 is 15 helicopters. This is despite the fact that the decision to build this type at the Kazan Helicopter Plant (KVZ) was only made in early summer 2024.
Given the power of the VK-650, it is planned to create several modifications of the Mi-34 - with a take-off weight from 1.5 tons to 2.1 tons and a capacity of 3 to 6 passengers (plus one pilot).
In short, it turns out to be a completely new helicopter, but to speed up the process, the manufacturers decided to go the route of re-certification, as if it were a modernization of the classic Mi-34.
According to the source, approval of the main change is expected to be received at the end of August. So far, it is planned to produce one modification - a four-seater (Mi-34M1), with a five-seater Mi-34M2 in development.
Earlier, www1.ru reported that Russia will invest almost 6 billion rubles in the modernization of Ansat and Mi-38 helicopters.