Iran’s best civil aviation, Hossein Pohfalzane, said on Monday that the local overhaul of the BK 117 engine was the first of its kind in Iran, and the project was the result of years of intensive and complicated work within the country.
According to Press TV, Pourfarzaneh said Iran decided to start local repair work on helicopter engines after a certain country where helicopter manufacturers are based, and he misled and even confiscated the engines sent from Iran for repairs.
“Engines are a major part of the value of aircraft or helicopters, and local ability to repair and manufacture their spare parts can play a key role in the country’s aviation economy.”
The BK 117, a joint product of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Airbus Helicopters, is a medium-sized twin-engine helicopter that is primarily used for emergency services.
Mapna, an Iranian engineering company responsible for many high-tech projects in the country, is running an overhaul project that includes the BK 117 helicopter engine.
Iran was able to float its air fleet despite sanctions banning access to the country’s foreign technology and spare parts.
The country provides aircraft maintenance services to foreign airlines, indicating that last year, Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline, sent Western-made jets to Iran for repairs.
Iranian Aviation Authority also said that in late 2024 he had acquired the skills necessary to manufacture spare parts for engines for Boeing and Airbus Jet aircraft.
MNA/