Klimov Company, one of the Russia’s leading engine manufacturers, is completing the testing of the advanced engine intended for sea-based aviation and starts testing of the advanced Russian-built engine intended for combat helicopters, RIA Novosti reports.

"The type testing of VK-2500 engines made of only Russian-produced parts will be started on December 18th 2012. This is the result of the federal target program for development of military-industrial sector. In the network of import substitution we are becoming fully independent of foreign suppliers", — Dmitry Rogozin, the vice-premier of Russia, said at the meeting held by Dmitry Medvedev.

According to Rogozin, the act of state rig-testing of RD-33MK engine will also be presented to the enterprise on December 18th 2012. Theengineisintendedforship-basedaircraft.

Speaking of helicopter engines, the vice-premier noted that the launch of this program will allow manufacturing up to 50 engines of the type in 2013. The engines will power Ka-52 and Mi-28 helicopters.

"Generally we expect Klimov Company to manufacture over 400 VK-2500 engines per year since 2015. Thus we would be able to equip about 200 helicopters", — he added. Rogozin believes that the new RD-33MK engine will “help us get back to the sea-based aviation”.

"First of all, we will fulfill all our obligations to the Indian party regarding Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, which would be equipped with ship-based MiG-29 fighters. Secondly, we will have prerequisites for development of new aircraft carriers, because now we have aviation equipped with the required engine", — Dmitry Rogozin said.

In addition, he said that the new manufacturing facility of Klimov Company located outside St. Petersburg will be inaugurated on December 18th. It should reach full capacity in summer 2013.