China and a Russian company signed an agreement in Zhuhai on Nov 4 for handover and purchase of Mi-26 helicopters. China will thus have two such helicopters that boast the world’s largest payload capacity.
“The China Flying Dragon Special Aviation Company introduced the first Mi-26 helicopter in China in 2007 through a leasing arrangement. The company has now purchased it outright. The handover of the property rights was finalized at today’s ceremony,” said an official of China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation.
“The second Mi-26 helicopter in the purchase agreement will be primarily used for forest fire protection in Northeast China,” he was quoted as saying.
The maximum take-off weight of the Mi-26 helicopter is 56 tons and its maximum load capacity is 20 tons, making it the world’s largest payload capacity helicopter.
After Wenchuan in Sichuan Province was hit by a devastating earthquake this May, two Mi-26 helicopters (one offered by Russia) flew to the disaster-stricken area and they played an important role in relief efforts.
By People's Daily Online
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