The Russian helicopter industry is facing a serious technological problem: about 100 engines for Mi-8s in operation require immediate replacement. According to the Helicopter Industry Association (HIA), further repair of obsolete power plants is economically impractical due to the sharp increase in costs. Rostec and the United Engine Corporation (UEC) confirmed that the resource of many engines has already been exhausted, and a large-scale program for their renewal is needed.
The cost of overhauling TV2-117 engines has increased by 209% in the last two years, and for TV3-117 - by 291%. Spare parts have also become more expensive: for example, rotor blades have become more expensive by 189%.
The price of engines after overhaul has almost tripled. If before 2022 a repaired engine cost 25–30 million rubles, now it costs 75–90 million. Few operators included such growth in their business models.
The delivery times for critical units are stretched to 2027–2028, which leads to long downtimes for helicopters. On average, one aircraft is idle for 1–3 months a year, and in some cases - up to six months.
TV2-117 engines, developed back in the 1960s, no longer meet modern safety requirements. UEC has officially stopped servicing them. According to the United Engine Corporation, the new engines, the TV3-117 family, have replaced the TV2-117, various versions of which, under the name VK-2500, are produced at the UEC-Klimov enterprise in St. Petersburg.
Operating helicopter equipment with outdated engines may pose a safety threat. Our enterprises have sufficient capacity to replace outdated TV2-117s with modern VK-2500s.
Airlines and manufacturers are looking for a compromise. One solution could be a re-engining program.
To solve the problem, we need preferential leasing for updating the fleet of helicopter aircraft engines. Without state support, operators will not be able to purchase new engines.
The issue is acute: 500–600 Mi-8s are operated in Russia, many of which have been flying for more than 40 years.
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