The first helicopter is expected to be ready by August 2021.
Ukraine plans to assemble the Bell UH-1 Iroquois / Photo from Ukroboronprom
The Odesa-based Aviation Plant, which is part of state-run Ukroboronprom, will launch the assembly of Bell UH-1 Iroquois, a U.S. utility military helicopter, this year.
Ukroboronprom Director General Yuriy Husyev announced this while visiting the Odesa plant, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
“This year, we plan to launch the assembly of helicopters under a U.S. license at the Odesa Aviation Plant, which is part of state-run concern Ukroboronprom,” he said. “I gave this order to the enterprise’s management during my visit. In my opinion, this is more than a real task for the plant’s capacities. Therefore, the first helicopter should be assembled by the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence.”
According to him, at the beginning of the First World War, this plant, which was then called Anatra Aircraft Plant, was one of the most powerful aviation enterprises and built, in addition to foreign airplanes, aircraft of its own design.
“Just imagine: the plant’s production capacity in 1917 was up to 100 aircraft per month!” he said.
Husyev also noted that he was impressed by production standards at the enterprise and workers’ enthusiasm.
Ukroboronprom’s Director General at Odesa’s plant / Photo from Ukroboronprom
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois
- The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, nicknamed “Huey,” is a utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron. It is one of the most famous and popular makes in the history of helicopter construction. Its commercial production was launched in 1960, with periodic modernized.
(c)UNIAN 2021
Thank you,Uncle Joe.
Nice try Veth, lol, these sorts of decisions take MONTHS to make. Thank you Uncle Donald! ;))
Why does Ukraine want to build a helicopter that has been out of production for 34 years??? It’s a damned good chopper, no doubt, but the design is 65 years old. Can’t they design and build something on their own? Just asking…
It is still in service with the Marine Corps (the UH-1Y Venom), the Air Force (UH-1N), and Navy (UH-1N). The Army’s last Huey mission was flown on Dec. 15, 2016.
It does have some drawbacks , it is VERY susceptible to small arms groundfire and the rotors of the Huey were expected to last 1,000 flight hours before needing to be replaced. Under the harsh Vietnam conditions, they needed replacements every 200 hours. In general, the Huey needed repairs frequently,
Totally agree. That chopper is perfect for the Donbas theater.