Russia has reassured China only Russian technology is being used to design and build the Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL), a heavy helicopter being built by China and Russia but that will only be used in China.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said work on the AHL is "totally autonomous from third countries." By third countries, Rogozin was referring to Ukraine. China had expressed concerns about the AHL's engine being made at the Motor Sich Plant located at the city of Zaporozhye in Ukraine.

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Rogozin explained it was important for China to hear the project is independent from Ukraine in terms of technology participation. The AHL engine will be made in Russia, he said.

"We also informed (China) that we are completely independent from anyone else in this project. Because the work has started at the Perm-based Aviadvigatel Plant to create on the basis of the PD-14 engine a new engine, which has successfully passed flight tests", he said.

"The PD-10 and PD-12V - these engines, especially PD-12V, are designed to replace the helicopter engine, which had been previously manufactured at Ukraine's Zaporozhye-based Motor Sich Plant."

In 2015, the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and Russian Helicopters (a helicopter design and manufacturing company based in Moscow) signed a framework agreement on cooperation to build the AHL.

Rogozin said AHL will be totally new helicopter and not a modification of an existing Russian helicopter.

AHL will have a lifting capacity of 10 tons if the cargo is stowed internally and 15 tons if carried on an external sling. The helicopter is being designed to operate 24/7 in hot climates; mountainous terrain and all weather conditions, said Russian Helicopters.

Analysts estimate demand for AHL in China could exceed 200 helicopters until 2040.

AHL will have a seven-bladed main rotor with five-bladed tail rotor. Its maximum takeoff will be 38.2 tons and its service ceiling will be 5,700 meters. The helicopter's flight range extends to 630 kilometers while its maximum speed is 300 km/h.

TagsAdvanced Heavy Lifter, Russia, china, Ukraine, Dmitry Rogozin