Russian Helicopters, part of the Rostec State Corporation, chose IDEX to unveil the new VIP variant of its Ka-226T helicopter.

The aircraft is still based on a so-called ‘flying chassis’ concept, in which different role-specific modules can be mounted suspended behind the cockpit.

These modules are user-swappable by a team of four in just half an hour, allowing the helicopter to be quickly converted to passenger, medevac or cargo configuration.

The VIP module seats four in luxurious leather seats and has an air conditioning/APU module on the port side.

Russian Helicopters believes that the VIP variant could have particular appeal in the region, said company spokesperson, Valeria Puminova.

The aircraft at IDEX is based on the new Ka-226T ‘Climber’ variant of the Ka-226, with TurbomecaArrius 2G engines and the new more streamlined ‘glider’ nose profile, though the company hopes to change to 650hp Klimov VK-650V engines as part of its sanctions-driven campaign of ‘import substitution’.

The upgraded Ka-226T has a redesigned lower weight airframe and improved flight performance with significantly enhanced payload and range.

Already compact, thanks to its coaxial, contra-rotating twin-rotor configuration, the aircraft now has a new main rotor mast with a blade folding mechanism.