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South Africa’s Paramount Group, founded by tycoon Ivor Ichikowitz, is setting up a production facility in the United Arab Emirates to make composite blades for Mi-type helicopters, according to a report by Defense News. This is because the defense company wants to get orders from African operators of Mi-type helicopters who need maintenance and configuration upgrades.
Last month, Paramount announced that it had signed a strategic partnership agreement with UAE-based AAL Group to manufacture composite main and tail rotor blades for helicopters locally.
For more than two decades, the Emirati entity has provided comprehensive maintenance and repair services for the Mi family of rotary-wing aircraft.
“Our activities with AAL Group in the UAE will include but not be limited to the management of an advanced manufacturing plant, an assembly line, and maintenance, repair and operations facilities, servicing and upgrading fleets of helicopters for our African partners,” Steve Griessel, CEO of Paramount, told Defense News.
On the African continent, there are more than 23 operators of Mi-type helicopters, with Togo being the most recent country to receive new Mi-17 transport aircraft in December.
These aircraft are typically equipped with metallic rotor blades, which are subjected to considerable strain during intense operations.
This can increase the types of damage they are susceptible to, making them more susceptible to erosion.
Russia is one of the world’s largest exporters of titanium alloy, which is used to construct traditional metal helicopter blades.
Citigroup, a financial services company, recently warned that the export of valuable metals could be added to the list of Moscow’s restricted natural resources in response to Western sanctions.
A significant proportion of Soviet-era helicopters in African fleets are either grounded for extended periods of time or have been retired.
This was partially attributable to the inability of customers to maintain their fleets, a problem likely exacerbated by the Ukraine conflict, which itself has impacted global supply chains and deliveries. Moreover, several African nations face budgetary constraints.
The composite blades offered by Paramount are a fully interchangeable replacement for the original metallic blades, providing logistical and operational benefits.
Whereas African clients may have previously turned to Russian manufacturers for upgrades, maintenance, repairs, and overhauls, the UAE-based installations may provide Paramount with a significant advantage in terms of capitalizing on new business opportunities.
Paramount Group, which was founded by Ichikowitz in South Africa in 1994, is a global aerospace and defense group of companies operating in the global defense, internal security and peacekeeping industries. It offers a range of military aircraft, armoured vehicles, maritime systems, equipment and training to governments.
Ichikowitz, 57, is also a philanthropist of note.
He is the founder of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, which he established in 2010.
The foundation works to protect wildlife, especially rhinos and elephants in Africa, which are in danger of going extinct.
