Ukrainian Helicopters

What Ukrainian Helicopters does

Ukrainian Helicopters (PJSC "Airline" Ukrainian Helicopters, ПрАТ «АК «Українські вертольоти») is the largest helicopter operator in Ukraine, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Kyiv. The company operates a fleet of 23 modernized Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters built around a proprietary "Transformer" concept that enables rapid reconfiguration between six mission modes — search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, firefighting, passenger transport, cargo transport, and combined operations — in approximately 40 minutes. Aircraft are equipped with integrated night vision systems (FLIR), satellite data transmission (SkyTrack), advanced medical modules with real-time telemedicine links, rescue hoists capable of 50-meter descents in ~8 seconds, ballistic and anti-missile protection, and external/internal firefighting systems. The company runs a dedicated Helicopter Training Center (LLC subsidiary) — the only specialized facility in Ukraine for Mi-8MTV-1 crew training including night vision operations — and an Aviation Service Center for maintenance.

The company generates revenue through contract-based helicopter services for UN peacekeeping missions (across South Sudan, Mali, Somalia, Sudan, DRC, Djibouti, and Côte d'Ivoire), international humanitarian operations (firefighting in Portugal and Turkey, earthquake relief in Pakistan, flood relief in East/West Africa, Ebola containment in DRC), national government emergency services, and commercial mining clients (Burkina Faso). Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales to UN procurement, government ministries, and large corporate clients via international bidding and direct government-to-government agreements. The firm maintains 501-1000 employees, 20+ years of operational track record, and certifications including Air Operator Certificate, ISO 9001-2015, and approvals for maintenance, development, flight worthiness management, and training organizations.

In 2024 Ukrainian Helicopters launched a nationwide 'For the Children of Our Defenders' charitable platform in partnership with the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, State Service for Children, and ICC Ukraine, and has directed 331 million UAH in charitable assistance since the start of the full-scale war. In 2025 flight attendant-rescuer Serhiy Prykhodko was posthumously awarded the UN Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal — the first civilian recipient — further strengthening the company's UN mission credentials.

Name

Ukrainian Helicopters

Legal name

Private Joint Stock Company "Airline" Ukrainian Helicopters (ПрАТ «АК «Українські вертольоти»)

Website

https://ukrcopter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Ukrainian Helicopters is the largest helicopter operator in Ukraine, providing UN peacekeeping, humanitarian, firefighting, medevac, and SAR services globally via a fleet of 23 Mi-8MTV-1 transformer helicopters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Aviation Services

NAICS

Ambulance Services (62191), Airport Operations (48811)

SIC

Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

Air Medical Transport (Helicopter/Fixed-Wing) (HLAFANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Helicopter Medical Passenger Transport (Non-Emergency) (TLAFACAI), Remote & Rural Community Passenger Lift Services (THABAGAI), Helicopter Public-Sector Passenger Transport (Law Enforcement/Fire/Coast Guard – Non-Rescue Transit) (TLAFACAJ)

Keywords

• Helicopter operations
• Aeromedical evacuation
• Search and rescue
• Aerial firefighting
• Peacekeeping aviation

Headquarters

HQ city

Kyiv

HQ country

Ukraine

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. International Peacekeeping Operations: Contract-based helicopter services for UN and international peacekeeping missions, including search and rescue, medical evacuation, and troop/cargo transport in conflict zones
2. Humanitarian Operations: Services for humanitarian organizations in disaster relief, including firefighting, evacuation, and cargo transport during natural catastrophes
3. Commercial Mining Support: Passenger transportation for mining companies, such as services provided to mining companies in Burkina Faso

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Ukrainian Helicopters operates a fleet of 23 modernized Mi-8MTV-1 "Transformer" helicopters providing specialized aviation services including search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, firefighting, and passenger/cargo transport. The aircraft feature rapid reconfiguration capability (under 40 minutes) between mission modes, integrated night vision systems, satellite communication, and advanced medical modules. Services are delivered 24/7 globally in challenging environments from Europe to Africa for UN peacekeeping missions, governments, and humanitarian organizations.

Product overview

Ukrainian Helicopters is a Private Joint Stock Company operating as Ukraine's largest helicopter operator with over 20 years of experience. The company offers specialized aviation services through its fleet of 23 modernized Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters featuring a unique 'Transformer' concept that allows rapid reconfiguration (under 40 minutes) between six operational modes: search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, firefighting, passenger transport, cargo transport, and combined operations. Services operate 24/7 globally in challenging environments from Europe to Africa. The company provides integrated support through its Aviation Service Center and Helicopter Training Center, the latter being Ukraine's only facility specializing in Mi-8MTV-1 crew training including night vision operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Search and Rescue Operations Specialized helicopter search and rescue operations performed 24/7 in any weather conditions, utilizing night vision systems and integrated surveillance technology. Services are provided to UN peacekeeping missions, governments, and humanitarian organizations in conflict and disaster zones.
• Aeromedical Evacuation Medical evacuation services including transport of patients with infectious diseases using isolation capsules and decontamination equipment, serving remote locations and conflict zones. Features advanced medical module capable of serving two severely injured patients with artificial lung ventilation, suction pump, and defibrillator, enabling treatment initiation before landing.
• Aerial Firefighting

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 rescue operations conducted since 2015
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ministry for Veterans Affairs of UkrainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry partnering with Ukrainian Helicopters on the 'Children of Our Defenders' charitable platform, providing support to children of fallen defenders and orphans of the war
• State Service of Ukraine for ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment service collaborating on the charitable platform for children of defenders, supporting orphans affected by the war
• International Chamber of Commerce Ukraine (ICC Ukraine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in the 'Children of Our Defenders' charitable platform, helping to expand the initiative across Ukraine and engage businesses in supporting orphaned children of fallen defenders

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Direct peers

• CHC Helicopter: One of the world's largest helicopter operators serving offshore energy, search and rescue, and aeromedical evacuation across multiple geographies; directly comparable in service mix and international contract-driven business model.
• Air Serv International: NGO that provides aircraft services to humanitarian organizations across Africa, including medevac and cargo transport; directly comparable in mission-driven, multi-country African humanitarian aviation model.
• Bond Aviation Group: European helicopter operator providing emergency medical services, search and rescue, and offshore transport; comparable multi-mission helicopter services with government and emergency-services customer base.
• PHI Aviation: Helicopter operator specializing in offshore oil-and-gas crew change, aeromedical evacuation, and search and rescue with significant African and international mission presence; closely comparable service portfolio to Ukrainian Helicopters.
• Bristow Group: Global helicopter operator providing offshore crew change, search and rescue, and aeromedical services with multi-mission fleet configurations; directly comparable to Ukrainian Helicopters in mission-type diversity and international government/energy contracting model.
• NHV Group: European helicopter operator specializing in offshore transport, EMS, and SAR with operations across Africa and the North Sea; comparable multi-mission helicopter services and international government/energy contracting model.

Broad incumbents

• Avincis: European helicopter emergency services operator providing aerial firefighting, SAR, and EMS across multiple countries; comparable multi-mission helicopter services with government emergency-services customers.

Regional players

• Safarilink Aviation: Kenya-based fixed-wing and rotary-wing operator serving safari, humanitarian, and UN missions in East Africa; comparable regional presence and customer overlap in African humanitarian and government aviation.
• Caverton Helicopters: Nigerian helicopter operator serving offshore oil and gas crew change and aeromedical services in West Africa; comparable regional presence and customer base (energy and government) in African markets where Ukrainian Helicopters also operates.

Others

• Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF): Humanitarian aviation NGO operating small fleets across Africa, Asia, and Latin America for medevac, disaster relief, and remote community support; comparable mission-driven, contract-funded operating model serving similar humanitarian customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Ukrcopter
• Facebookfacebook.com/ukrheli
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aviation-company-ukrainian-helicopters

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ukrainian Helicopters