TSAMTO, May 22. As already reported, the Russian Helicopters holding Company of Rostec State Corporation handed over a batch of 18 Ansats to the Republic of Zimbabwe. Below is the material on this topic from the press service of Rostec Group.
According to the press service, the new light multi-purpose helicopters manufactured at the Kazan Helicopter Plant (KVZ) are designed to form the basis of the air ambulance of the African state.
The active development of cooperation between the Russian Helicopters holding and the Republic of Zimbabwe began in 2022. A number of contracts were signed for the supply of Mi-17 and Ansat civilian helicopters for key federal structures of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Rostec State Corporation, along with the supply of helicopter equipment, shares the successful experience of Russia, where the National Air Ambulance Service (NSSA) has been working effectively for many years.
"Today we are solemnly handing over to the Republic of Zimbabwe a batch of Russian-made Ansat helicopters. Eighteen Ansats are designed for air ambulance. First of all, to save patients in hard–to-reach areas. Each ambulance helicopter is equipped with a full set of medical equipment for resuscitation and emergency care," said Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec State Corporation.
He stressed that the sanaviation program created by joint efforts will be the first such project on the African continent. "Russian helicopters are a real flying ambulance, which will urgently come to help in cases when every minute is precious. A helicopter will help save lives where ordinary transport is waiting for a very long time. By 2025, 60 Russian–made helicopters will be delivered to the Republic of Zimbabwe," Chemezov said.
President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa recalled that Russia handed over to his country the first Ansat ambulance helicopter and an ambulance during the visit of the Russian delegation to the African Republic in autumn 2022.
"We intend to further develop our cooperation. The rescue of people, the skills of providing emergency medical care are a great reason to strengthen the partnership and friendship of our two countries. These helicopters will lay the foundation of a modern medical aviation fleet in Zimbabwe, will help to solve difficult tasks that sometimes arise during natural disasters in the republic," E. Mnangagwa stressed.
The presentation of medical aircraft for the participants of the ceremony was held by representatives of the NSSA of Russia, which has considerable experience in the field of sanitary aviation. In a little over three years of the NSSA's work, the lives of 23 thousand patients were saved, of which almost 3 thousand were children.
Rostec's experience in creating the first air ambulance service on the African continent will also be presented during the Second Economic and Humanitarian Forum "Russia-Africa", which will be held from July 26 to 29 in St. Petersburg.
Ansat is a light twin–engine multi-purpose helicopter, mass-produced at the Kazan Helicopter Plant. The design of the rotorcraft allows you to quickly transform it into both a cargo and a passenger version. The helicopter has the most spacious passenger cabin in its class, can carry up to 7 people. Ansat is certified for use in the temperature range from -45 to +50 degrees. C, suitable for use in the highlands. The aircraft is multifunctional. The Federal Air Transport Agency has approved the use of a medical module, an emergency flooding system, fire extinguishing equipment, as well as for search and rescue operations.
The message is publicly available on the website of Rostec Group of Companies.
