On April 29, 2012, Vice Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council visited Kazan Helicopter Plant (KHP) in Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia.

Accompanied by Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, Minister of Industry and Trade Ravil Zaripov and KHP General Director Vadim Ligay of the Republic of Tatarstan, Vice Premier Li visited the new products demonstration workshop and learned about the helicopter production, product development, external cooperation and other related aspects of the plant. He also inquired about the performance of the engine, the use of composite materials, the load capacity and some other technical and economic indicators. He went on board a new heavy-duty helicopter and got into the cockpit to learn more about the helicopter. He praised the plant for adopting open and innovative practices such as increasing R&D and paying attention to market needs. Li said that the demands for helicopters in China are tremendous and the research and production levels are also rising. The two sides should further strengthen cooperation in this field, leverage complementary advantages and achieve win-win results.

The predecessor of Kazan Helicopter Plant is a factory, which was built in 1940 in Leningrad and moved to Kazan in 1941. During the Russian Great Patriotic War period, the plant produced over ten thousand fighters and air ambulances and provided strong support for the front-line battles against the invasion of fascists. At present, the plant is an important helicopter production base of Russia and has strong capabilities in independent design and R&D.

Li arrived in Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan after concluding his official visit to Moscow on the morning of April 29. Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, Minister of Industry and Trade Ravil Zaripov, and acting mayor of Kazan Ilsur Raisovich Metshin went to the airport to greet Vice Premier Li.