The Mi-171A3 offshore helicopters manufactured for Gazprom have arrived in Sakhalin, where they are undergoing tests, break-in, and personnel training, said Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of PAO Gazprom.

The Mi-171A3 became the first Russian helicopter specifically designed for offshore operations – flights over the sea to service offshore drilling platforms. The machine was developed taking into account the strict requirements of the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP). Before the appearance of the Mi-171A3, Russian companies used American Sikorsky S-92 and European Airbus Helicopters on the shelf. The new machine is designed to replace foreign equipment in the context of sanctions restrictions.

Unlike the American Sikorsky S-92 (take-off weight 12,000 kg, up to 19 passengers, range about 880–1000 km) and European Airbus machines, the Russian Mi-171A3 has a take-off weight of 13,000 kg and accommodates up to 24 passengers, making it the most capacious in its class of offshore helicopters. The flight range with additional tanks reaches 1000 km. At the same time, the Mi-171A3 is fully import-substituted, equipped with a digital avionics complex and a crash-resistant fuel system, and its cost is significantly lower than foreign counterparts. A feature of the Mi-171A3 is an emergency water landing system that allows landing on water in sea conditions up to 5 points. The creation of an Aurus helicopter based on the Mi-171A3 is also being considered.

In March 2026, the Russian Helicopters holding completed the certification of the Mi-171A3 in a fully import-substituted configuration. During the tests, more than 500 flights were performed in extreme conditions – in the mountains, at temperatures down to –50°C, and with landings on a drilling platform in the Caspian Sea.