Amphibious Be-200 sold to China - AIN

Production of the Be-200 has resumed, but the twinjet amphibian may have to be re-engined. (Photo: Vladimir Karnozov)

China has signed for two Beriev Be-200 amphibious jets with an option for two more, Russia's minister for industry and trade Denis Manturov told journalists on November 2. He did not provide further details, but added that the Indonesian government is also considering buying two or four such aircraft. So far, the type has been exported only to Azerbaijan.

This announcement comes after the first Be-200ChS assembled at TANTK Beriev performed a 15-minute test flight on September 16, with test-pilots Nikolai Kuleshov and Eugeny Yurasov at the controls. This aircraft made a public appearance at GydroaviaSalon’2016 show at Gelendzhik on the Black Sea Coast held September 20 to 25.

Previously, the type was in production at Irkut Corporation’s IAZ plant in Irkutsk, which assembled a Be-200 prototype in 1998 and eight production-standard aircraft from 2003 through to 2011. The latter came in the Be-200Ch customized version for Russia’s Ministry for Emergencies (Emercom), which specializes in firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation and ecological monitoring. Emercom operates six aircraft and Azerbaijan one; the other two remain with the manufacturer, available for payable services.

This past summer, Emercom sent two aircraft to Portugal, where they performed 169 water drops, delivering more than 2,000 tons of water on forest fires. On August 14, a Be-200ChS (registration RF-31121) suffered severe damage to both wing consoles after hitting tree tops, but it managed to land safely at Monte Real Air Base (LPMR) near Leiria. Both aircraft returned to Russia on September 18.

In November 2010, the Be-200ChS was awarded a restricted type certificate by EASA. This resulted in a renewed interest in the type from both local and international customers. Emercom ordered eight more, while the Russian defense ministry in 2013 awarded Beriev a contract worth 8.4 billion Roubles (approximately $1.3 million [2016 dollars]) for six aircraft, including four in “PS” customized version for patroland search-and-rescue operations. Portugal also  signed a preliminary agreement for two aircraft (later canceled) and Indonesia for four aircraft in 2015. China has been negotiating a deal on a number of aircraft in civil and military versions.

All this prompted United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to resume the Be-200 project and re-establish its assembly line at TANTK Beriev. A number of design changes have led to a new production standard, with the airframe and systems said to have been renewed by more than 50 percent for greater efficiency in operation. “We have high hopes that this de-facto new aircraft will sell well to both domestic and international customers,” UAC president Yuri Slyusar commented.

Further changes might be necessary as the current poor relations between Russia and Ukraine make it difficult for Beriev to buy Ivchenko-Progress D-436TP turbofans from Ukrainian maker Motor-Sich. The manufacturer is considering the SaM.146 engines from PowerJet, a joint venture between Snecma of France and NPO Saturn of Russia, a member in United Engine Corporation (UDK). This would enable an increase in gross weight from 38 to 40-42 metric tons. Higher power may allow an increase in the amount of water taken on a scooping run from eight to twelve metric tons.

Next year, TANTK Beriev plans to assemble four airframes, and then gear up the annual production to six airframes by 2022. The company claims the ability to make eight airframes in case of urgent orders. The two aircraft on firm order for China are due for delivery in 2018.