Rostec State Corporation’s Russian Helicopters Holding Company returned to the United Arab Emirates for the Dubai Airshow 2025, held from November 17 to 21. The company showcased two platforms at its static display: a medical evacuation variant of the light multi-purpose Ansat and the heavy-duty Ka-32A11M firefighting helicopter.
The 2025 exhibition marked the first international presentation of the fully “import-substituted” Ansat, reflecting the manufacturer’s shift to domestic components in response to prolonged sanctions.
Nikolai Kolesov, CEO of Russian Helicopters, described the airshow as a critical platform for fostering cooperation with foreign partners and potential customers in the Middle East and beyond. The debut of the modified Ansat demonstrates industrial autonomy, as the helicopter now relies entirely on Russian-manufactured systems.
The Ansat-M: Engineering Autonomy
The export-oriented Ansat-M displayed at the show underwent extensive re-engineering at the Kazan Helicopter Plant to remove reliance on Western suppliers. Most notably, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207K engines have been replaced by VK-650V engines produced by the United Engine Corporation, part of Rostec. This change addresses supply chain restrictions impacting the Russian aerospace sector in recent years.
Flight control systems were also fully domestic, with imported components in control loops and autopilot replaced by Russian alternatives. Additionally, the aircraft features a new starting and DC power generation system. Structural improvements include a higher proportion of composite materials, enhancing the strength-to-weight ratio and improving operational range.
The 2025 Dubai Airshow provided Russian Helicopters a strategic platform to highlight both technological independence and operational capability to an international audience.
