Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh's Visit to UEC-Klimov in St. Petersburg Explained

Shri Rajnath Singh at the Klimov Plant

Introduction

During his recent visit to Russia from November 5 to November 7, 2019, India's Defense Minister, Rajnath Singh, visited Saint-Petersburg based UEC-Klimov (which is incorporated in United Engine Corporation of State Corporation Rostec).

Klimov is the largest developer and manufacturer of engines for Military and Civil aircraft in Russia.

During the visit the Indian Defense Minister was briefed on the product range of the enterprise and key stages of the production process and taken on a tour of the mechanical, assembly and test workshops.

Shri Rajnath Singh was shown the TV7-117ST, TV7-117V, VK-2500, and RD-33MK engines, all of which are of interest to India.

TV7-117ST Turboprop Engine

The TV7-117ST is turboprop engine which powers the Ilyushin IL-114 regional transport aircraft.

The Indian defense minister being briefed on the six-blade Aerosila AV-112 propeller fitted on the TV7-117ST engine.

In terms of efficiency and reliability, the TV7-117ST is among the best turboprop engines in the world in its class. The engine has a takeoff power rating of 3,100 hp and emergency power rating of 3,600 hp. On the IL-114, the TV7-117ST engine is coupled to  the newly developed six-blade Aerosila AV-112 propeller which increases thrust.

The TV7-117ST-01 engine is  variant of the TV7-117ST engine which powers the Ilyushin Il-114-300 regional liner. The TV7-117ST-01 is currently undergoing flight trials on an Ilyushin IL-76LL which was displayed at MAKS 2019

An IL-76LL fitted with a Klimov TV7-117ST-01 for flight trials

The IL-114-300 is a 52-64 seat analog of the ATR-42. India's state owned aircraft manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is reportedly planning to make the IL-114-300 in India as a regional airliner for domestic airlines.

HAL has tied up with Ilyushin, initially to provide maintenance support for the IL-114-300 in India and later to assemble the plane in the country.

In September 2019, HAL chairman R Madhavan was quoted in the report as saying,
“Ilyushin is working on civil certification of this aircraft, that is likely to come by 2021. After that they get European (aviation regulator) certification also for using this aircraft in civilian space. We signed a non-disclosure agreement with Ilyushin for doing maintenance of this aircraft in India for its customers from India and nearby countries.”

Configured as a military transport, the IL-114-300 could also replace the 100 odd Antonov An-32 aircraft of the IAF. There is also a maritime variant, IL-114MP, which too could be of interest to India.

TV7-117V Turboshaft Engine

The TV7-117V turboshaft engine is a helicopter powerplant version of the TV-117SM engine. Two TV7-117V turboshaft engines, each of 1753 kW power rating are fitted on Russia's newest transport helicopter Mi-38. The Mi-38 was unveiled at MAKS-2019 and made its international debut at the Dubai Airshow 2019. It's a transport helicopter designed and built with focus on passenger safety and comfort, environmental friendliness, and low noise on the ground..

Russia is pitching the Mi-38 to Pawan Hans Limited, India's state owned civil helicopter company, as a replacement for existing Mi-172.

The Mi-38 can be operated in a wide range of climatic conditions, including marine, tropical and cold climates. The high altitude performance of the helicopter is an important USP. The Mi-38 set a world record reaching an altitude of 8,600 meters, which is almost as high as Mt. Everest [8,848 meters].

VK-2500 Turboshaft Engine

The VK-2500 (2,700 hp) turboshaft engine is a modern high-hot variant of the Klimov’s TV3-117 (2,100 hp) which powers the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter family of helicopters.

Klimov VK-2500PS engine on display at MAKS 2019

The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently has around 151 Mi-17V-5 helicopters powered by the TV3-117 engine, the last of which were delivered in January 2016. Russia is proposing that the IAF upgrade its Mi-17V-5 fleet to the Mi-171A2 standard powered by VK-2500PC engines. Besides more powerful and efficient engines, the Mi-171A2 features upgraded main rotor, gear systems and fuselage and advanced avionics. The total number of improvements exceed 80.

The latest variant of the engine, VK-2500PS, offers extended service life and full authority digital engine control system for improved performance.

RD-33MK Turbofan Engine

The RD-33MK engine, is a fourth generation engine derived from the RD-33 Series. If differs from the baseline model in having a new low-pressure compressor, an improved high-pressure compressor, an improved cooling turbine, an advanced smokeless combustor and up-to-date AVARK-42 FADEC system.

The RD-33MK engine has higher thrust, higher reliability and a longer service life of up to 4,000 hours.

The RD-33MK was developed to power the MiG-29K/KUB and MiG-35.

The RD-33MK variant which powers MiG-29K/KUB additionally features emergency takeoff rating and corrosion resistant coating on the gas air flow duct. The emergency takeoff rating makes it possible for the aircraft to takeoff from the aircraft carrier deck without use of catapult launcher.

The Indian Navy procured 45 MiG-29K/KUB for carrier borne operations from INS Vikramaditya, its lone aircraft carrier. Russia has now pitched the RD-33MK powered MiG-35 against the IAF's requirement for 110 medium class fighters.

During the meeting with the top management of the enterprise Shri Rajnath Singh put a high value on the scientific-design capacities of JSC “UEC-Klimov”, the quality and the scale of the up-to-date production complex.