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Pratt & Whitney won’t supply engines to Russians

May 22, 2009, Montreal  Pratt & Whitney Canada, a unit of United Technologies Corp. has withdrawn from a contract to supply engines for Russia’s new Mi-38 transport helicopter, a Russian news agency reported Thursday.

The Quebec-based engine manufacturer and Helicopters of Russia signed a memorandum of understanding in May 2008 to produce the PW127TS engine for the new twin-engine medium-lift helicopter.
Project director Georgy Sinelshchikov told RIA Novosti that Pratt’s decision follows its inability to fulfil obligations of the agreement because of the U.S. embargo on sales of dual-purpose equipment to Russia.

As a result, the helicopter’s production will be delayed two years until 2014, he said. It will instead be outfitted with a new Russian-made TV7-117V engine.

The helicopter, which can accommodate up to 30 passengers, can be used for civilian and military purposes.
Pratt & Whitney Canada is a division of United Technologies, a global industrial company that makes Carrier air conditioners, Otis elevators and other products.

Company spokeswoman Maria Mandato declined to confirm the published reports.

“We are still in ongoing discussions with our customer and as a matter of policy, we don’t comment on discussions with customers,” she wrote in an email.
She wouldn’t indicate what impact a withdrawal would have on Pratt employment. The company recently laid off 500 workers in Longueuil, Que., and 45 in Halifax as part of an effort to shed 1,000 jobs worldwide.