MOSCOW, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Russian Helicopters reports that the Korea Forest Service has formally opened a new service and maintenance center for Ka-32 aircraft.
The center is located in a multi-purpose complex that also houses the headquarters of the Korea Forest Service and will service all variants of the Ka-32 in South Korea and in service elsewhere in Asia.
"The opening of the new service center will first of all have a positive effect on prospects for promoting Russian-built Kamov-brand helicopters in East Asia," said Russian Helicopters Chief Executive Officer Alexander Mikheev. "This is a key region for our industry, and we want to be able to offer helicopter operators high-quality maintenance services through the whole life-cycle of our helicopters."
The center is the second in the country. Maintenance and service of the helicopters was previously outsourced to South Korean company LGI, one of Russian Helicopters' key partners in the region.
The LGI service center will continue to operate, Russian Helicopters said.
South Korea has 32 of the aircraft, which is used by the government and military for forest monitoring and firefighting, search-and-rescue missions, and for patrolling coastal waters.
