By IANS,
Beijing : China is looking to develop a 33-tonne heavy-lift helicopter with Russian help.
A major helicopter producer is holding talks with its Russian counterpart to develop the 33-tonne heavy-lift helicopter, reported China Daily.
“China can produce helicopters with a take-off weight from 1 tonne to 13 tonnes, but only the United States and Russia can produce choppers with lift-off weight of more than 20 tonnes,” Xia Qunlin, an official, was quoted as saying.
“If approved by the government, the 33-tonne heavy-lift helicopter is expected to fill a gap in China… and play important roles in rescue missions and fighting forest fires,” he added.
Avicopter Co Limited and Russian Helicopters are now discussing the project feasibility.
A need for the heavy-lift helicopter was felt when an earthquake rocked Sichuan province in 2008.
A Russian Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter was taken on rent and it showed its prowess by picking up a 13-tonne bulldozer.