Maksim covers aerospace developments in Central Asia for Aviation Week. He has worked for Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine and was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications after working for the Moscow-based CAST defense think tank.
Maksim has a degree in international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow.
MOSCOW — Russia is hoping upgrades to its Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter that are now undergoing flight trials will help secure an Indian contract now out for competition. The Mi-26T2 is up against Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook in the effort to supply helicopters to the Indian air force. The order is expected to be for 15 rotorcraft.
The Russian government this year will kick in financing for a new high-speed helicopter program to be developed by national rotorcraft maker Russian Helicopters. An official from the ministry of industry and trade says the budget will reach 400 million rubles ($14 million) for the conceptual design phase. The government hopes the new model will help the Russian manufacturer gain 15% of the global rotorcraft market by 2020.
Russia is ramping up fielding of its newest long-range air defense system and has put the follow-on missile defense capability on a firm development path.
