# Paramount, AAL Group partner to market Mi-type helicopter solutions, establishes supply chain centre

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/02/paramount-aal-group-partner-to-market-mi-type-helicopter-solutions/
- Published: 2023-02-23T07:32:38+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

Paramount Aerospace Systems, is now in a partnership with AAL Group Ltd to market
Mi-type helicopter solutions production of Mi main and tail rotor composite helicopter
blades, from facilities within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Paramount which [unveiled its new brand evolution at the IDEX 2023 exhibition](https://www.military.africa/2023/02/evolution-of-paramount-brand-unveiled-at-idex-2023/)
said in a joint statement, Paramount and the AAL Group announced that they will 
collaborate to service and upgrade fleets of helicopters across Africa, as well 
as the production of interchangeable composite rotary wing blades to meet the increasing
demand from partner countries across the continent.

AAL Group Ltd (AAL) is an international aviation organization that offers full-spectrum
solutions for Mi-type helicopter platforms to satisfy our Customers’ requirements
around the world. The Company has over 23 years of experience providing “Dedicated,
Reliable, Proven” services including repairs, overhauls, modifications, maintenance,
lease/charter operations, program management, integrated logistics support, and 
training for flight and maintenance personnel.

Established in 2000, AAL Group Ltd. is a leading international aviation organization
headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), providing a full range of services
and support for Mi-type rotary-wing aircraft. The company offers integrated and 
efficient solutions for its customers around the world to support the operational
readiness of its helicopter fleets.

AAL Group Ltd. CEO, Olga Martyshchenko, stated that “We strive to be the leader 
in the rotary-wing industry, placing our global customers’ needs at the core of 
our business. In realising our vision, we recognise that there is always more that
can be done and that the demands of our customers are evolutionary. In Paramount,
we have found a partner committed to EMEA defence industrialisation, with an acute
understanding of the asymmetrical challenges faced by governments across Africa.
We look forward to continued and shared growth on the heels of this landmark announcement”.

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The companies’ production resources will be situated within a newly established 
facility located on a plot of land directly connected to the airside.

Paramount has established an extensive composite blade design and development capability
for Mi-type helicopters. The composite blades offer a clear advantage over metal
blades.

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Paramount Global CEO, Steve Griessel, stated: “Paramount’s composite main rotor 
blade development started in 2006, in response to a customer requirement. The composite
blades were designed to provide the same functionality and performance capability,
including shape, size and weight as the metal blades, enabling installation without
any recertification of the helicopter platform elements, limiting certification 
only to the composite blades. This substantially reduces the development and qualification
process and does not affect any other major or structural parts.”

The composite blades have a significantly increased operational life, at least five
to eight times more than the metal blades but also allow individual blades to be
replaced in the event of damage rather than the whole set. A damaged blade or a 
set can be easily repaired at the location and returned to service in a short period
of time. Although the production of composite blades is more expensive than metal
blades, the operational life makes the overall cost of operation substantially cheaper.

With the current challenges in supplies and deliveries of the main rotor blades,
Customers are unable to maintain their fleets and continue providing the necessary
security and defence support to ensure their sovereignty. Composite blade production
can be ramped up to provide a source for continued operations and offer customers
longer usage life while reducing dependence on the challenging supply network.

Griessel added: “We are privileged to increase our footprint in the United Arab 
Emirates in partnership with AAL, and view this announcement as a major step in 
expanding the versatility and application of our pioneering portable production 
model. In tandem with organisations such as AAL, we look to create a truly global
network of portable production factories and in doing so, embolden the economic 
trajectories of our partners in Africa, in the Middle East and around the world”.

The milestone partnership announcement was made on the backdrop of the biennial 
International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2023 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, renowned
as one of the most important tri-service defence exhibitions in the world, host 
to 130,000 visitors, and 1,350 exhibitors from over 65 countries.

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At IDEX 2023, [Paramount](https://www.military.africa/tag/paramount-group/?amp=1)
and India-based Engineering & Technology conglomerate, Bharat Forge Ltd also [announced ](https://www.military.africa/2023/02/paramount-bharat-forge-to-produce-components-for-medium-lift-helicopters/)
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and production of composite
rotor blades, mission systems and stores management systems for medium lift helicopters.

The MoU was signed by CEO –Aerospace, Bharat Forge, Guru Biswal, and SVP, Paramount
Group, Clifford Dewell in the presence of senior officials from both companies at
the ongoing Aero India 2023 here.

Paramount Group has already developed composite main rotor and tail rotor blades,
as fully compatible replacements for the original metallic blades for a wide range
of helicopter types including Mi-17s, and Mi-24s.

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