The Korea Forest Service has held the opening ceremony of the new service center for Ka-32 helicopters manufactured by Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Oboronprom Corporation and Rostec State Corporation), the holding’s press-service reports.

Representatives of Russian Helicopters took part in the opening ceremony. The opening of this center will give an impulse to promotion of Ka-32 helicopters in the Republic of Korea and other countries of the Asia-Pacific. It will also reduce time required for maintenance and overhaul of the helicopters.

“First of all, the opening of the new service center will have a positive impact on promotion of Russian-produced Kamov helicopters in East Asia”, - said Russian Helicopters CEO, Alexander Mikheev. “It is one of the key regions for us and we are interested in offering the high-quality MRO services to helicopter operators throughout the whole life cycle of our products”.

“The first multi-role Ka-32 helicopters were delivered to South Korea in 1993. The Korea Forest Service uses the helicopters for monitoring forests and fire-fighting; the Korean air forces use the vehicles for search-and-rescue missions; the coast guard uses the helicopters for patrolling its coastal water zone. Moreover, Ka-32 is used in the commercial sector for carrying cargo, performing construction work and other missions. A total of 61 Ka-32 helicopters are operated in South Korea; their total flying time is over 100,000 hours”, - the press-service noted.

The Ka-32 service center is located in a new multi-purpose facility near the headquarters of the Korea Forest Service. The center will be able to service all types of Ka-32 helicopters operated in the region. Previously these vehicles were serviced by Korean company LGI, one of Russian Helicopters’ key partners in the country. The LGI service center will also continue its work, Russian Helicopters noted.

“At present the Korea Forest Service is considering the possibility of expanding its fleet of Ka-32 helicopters by purchasing the latest model - Ka-32A11BC. It is a unique coaxial helicopter operated in more than 30 countries of the world including EU states, South Korea, China, Japan, Canada, Russia, etc. Ka-32A11BC is used for performing special search-and-rescue and high-rise construction operations, complex fire-fighting missions, cargo transportation inside the cabin or using an external sling, skidding and medevac operations, patrolling and monitoring”, - the press-service noted.