Eurocopter Vostok delivers the first EC135 helicopters to Gazprom avia equipped with Transas Russian-built avionics

Eurocopter Vostok delivers to Gazprom avia the first EC135 helicopters with Transas Aviation avionics suite.

This delivery is part of a purchase contract of 8 EC135 helicopters in a passenger configuration. These are the first Eurocopter helicopters equipped with Russian-built mission avionics, which were produced by Transas Aviation – a leading Russian avionics manufacturer based in St. Petersburg.

The handover ceremony was attended by Victor Rakhmanko, head of the transport division of Gazprom; Andrey Ovcharenko, Gazprom avia’s general director; Wolfgang Schoder, the CEO of Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH; and Laurence Rigolini, CEO of Eurocopter Vostok.

“The EC135’s introduction into our fleet is a milestone event for Gazprom avia, and its Russian content has enabled the perfect customization of this reliable and efficient helicopter to our operational needs,” said Andrey Ovcharenko, Gazprom avia’s general director. “We plan to extend our strategic partnership with Eurocopter – particularly in the field of training services – which will be in addition to the operations support and maintenance provided by the company in our facility at Ostafievo airport.”

Gazprom avia is the general air carrier of Russia’s Gazprom energy company, and is one of the country’s 10 largest airlines.

“We can confidently state this contract lays the foundation for long-term fruitful cooperation between Gazprom avia, Eurocopter Vostok and Transas Aviation,” said Nikolai Lebedev, the president of Transas group. “Not only are such contracts of interest to the participating parties, they also confirm the potential of Russia in the field of avionics development and manufacturing.”

Eurocopter Vostok’s CEO Laurence Rigolini said the EC135 T2i helicopters will be operated in challenging weather conditions throughout Russia. Eurocopter Vostok is Eurocopter’s subsidiary that provides sales, customer support and fleet follow-up for the company’s helicopters in Russia and the CIS. “We eagerly look forward to the first operational results with