Russian-made firefighting rotorcraft, including the Ka-32A11BC certified by EASA on the input of the Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Registry in September 2009, are operated in 30 countries worldwide.

Russian Helicopters offers rotorcraft with firefighting and first response capabilities. The company keeps operator needs in mind and builds medium and heavy helicopters in firefighting versions and special firefighting kits for transport helicopters that can be installed on the ground.

The modernised heavy transport Mi-26T - a helicopter of choice for the Russian Emergency Control Ministry (EMERCOM) - are fitted with VSU-15 devices designed to hold 19.6 tons of water externally and to drop it within 15 seconds over fire or into containers on the ground. While hovering, the crew can fill VSU-15 within 10 seconds from an open reservoir 1 m and deeper.

In a 5-minute cycle, 1 litre of water delivered will cost $0.05 (fixed-wing aircraft - about $0.33-0.55). Russian-made heavy firefighting helicopters have shown good results in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Spain, South Korea in wildfire fighting over large areas. With their use, damages dropped by 83-85%.

VSU-5 - a similar system at three times smaller capacity - was made for medium helicopters of the Mi-8/17 family. The Lesnik simulator system has been updated to imitate turbulence common to wildfire locations, allowing efficient crew training.

All necessary updates were made by the simulator manufacturer in cooperation with Russian Helicopters. To simulate water drops from an external frame Lesnik is fitted with an additional seat for the operator of the external frame and wrench.

Effective urban firefighting tools include horizontal water cannons and waterjets, installed optionally on firefighting Ka-32A11BC helicopters. VSU-5A may also be installed. Ka-32A11BC have been acquired by many European and Asian countries to monitor and fight wildfires over large areas.

"Today we offer our customers modern firefighting helicopter complexes that can be used in any country of the world over difficult terrain and in urban areas," states CEO Russian Helicopters Andrei Shibitov.

"The Russian Helicopters holding is moving from selling just the helicopter to selling the entire range of services within its lifetime and firefighting helicopters get much attention in this respect. The multi-role Ka-32A11BC is in high demand worldwide, but now after EASA certification we're looking at market prospects on a different scale altogether."

The Ka-32 shows most promise in the EU as a helicopter of choice for special tasks and extreme conditions. With coaxial rotors it boasts better control in high turbulence and allows more accurate water drops at lower altitude. High climb rates allow the Ka-32 crew to quickly leave the area after completing their mission.

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