Rostec announced the first flight of the Ka-226T import-substituted helicopter

Russian Helicopters Holding Company has started conducting the first flight tests of an import-substituted Ka-226T helicopter equipped with a domestic VK-650V engine. This was announced on May 25 on the website of the Rostec State Corporation (GC).

"The first flight of the all-Russian Ka—226T multipurpose helicopter is another significant achievement of the Russian aircraft industry. The modular design and the Russian engine made it possible to make the helicopter versatile, maneuverable and safe, and the coaxial system ensured stability and ease of operation," said Gennady Abramenkov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.

According to him, such a fully domestic machine guarantees the state technological sovereignty, as well as the emergence of new prospects for sanitary, rescue and patrol aviation.

It is noted that during the first tests, the helicopter performed taxiing and hovering maneuvers in the air above the runway. The specialists checked the stability and controllability of the aircraft, and also identified the loads on its main components, which were in horizontal flight mode with several turns. At the time of the tests, Alexander Cherednichenko, a test pilot at the Mil and Kamov National Helicopter Center, was in the cockpit.

In addition to the VK-650V power plant developed by the United Engine Corporation, the helicopter was equipped with upgraded avionics and a control system. In the new Ka-226T, the on-board cable network was updated, as well as a number of other components that were also manufactured by Russian developers.

"The start of flight tests of the updated Ka-226T with Russian engines clearly demonstrates the ability of our industry to produce modern, high—quality aircraft based solely on its own technologies and developments," said Nikolai Kolesov, CEO of Russian Helicopters Holding Company.

Downward trend: import substitution defeats parallel imports

Experts see the success of domestic production, but warn of the risks of shortages in key industries.

On May 14, Rostec Group announced the successful completion of all certification tests by the Russian PD-8 engine for the SJ-100 (Superjet) aircraft. The installation was tested for a total of over 6.5 thousand hours. During this time, it has proven its high reliability, safety and operational readiness in the most difficult conditions. This engine was presented on February 5 at the national exhibition of civil aviation infrastructure NAIS-2025 in Moscow.