Russian Helicopters and Technodinamika (formerly the Aviation Equipment Group), both Rostec companies, and France's Microturbo (part of the Safran group) have signed a trilateral memorandum on the joint development and production of a new auxiliary power unit (APU), Saphir 15, for the helicopter market. Under the memorandum, Russian Helicopters will become the first potential customer for the new APU. Technodinamika and Microturbo will jointly work to increase the range of potential customers for the Saphir 15 APU among companies in Russia and abroad.

The memorandum was signed by Russian Helicopters Deputy CEO Roman Chernyshev, CEO at Technodinamika Maxim Kuzyuk, and the head of Microturbo Pierre-Yves Morvan.

“Russian Helicopters is engaged in extensive cooperation with other companies in the sector on improving efficiency and developing new technologies,” said Deputy CEO of Russian Helicopters Roman Chernyshev. “This opens up new opportunities for the company. This cooperation creates new products and technologies, and reduces delays. This new auxiliary power unit will help diversify component supplies for our helicopters. Technodinamika has already proved itself to be a reliable supplier for Russian-made helicopters.”

“This joint project with Microturbo to build the new Saphir 15 power unit for Russian Helicopters is confirmation of the effective development and strengthening of our company's business ties with partners abroad, even in this complex period for the Russian economy,” said CEO of Technodinamika Maxim Kuzyuk. “An estimated 30 million euros will be invested in the project to 2017. We are planning to sign a binding agreement on financing with our partners and financial institutions in the near future.”

The international agreement also covers future joint work to modernise the Saphir 15 auxiliary power unit. The joint product will be Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Register (IAC AR) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified. Series production is scheduled to start in 2017. The Saphir 15 will be suitable for virtually all models of Mi- and Ka- helicopters.

“Russian Helicopters' involvement in this project signifies the potential customers' keen interest in this new product,” said Microturbo CEO Pierre-Yves Morvan. “By building cooperation with the world's leading manufacturers in the aviation industry, we are aiming to conclude development and launch series production on the new product as early as 2017 – responding to customers' growing demand.”