"Countries like Russia cannot do without helicopters," Mr Ivanov said. "Helicopters can fly to areas where there are no roads and rivers, and there are lots of such places in Russia."

"The first helicopter fair demonstrates the Russian Government's increasing attention to this crucial sector," the Deputy Prime Minister said. "Moreover, we are devoting much of our focus to the development of mechanical engineering, high technologies, aircraft manufacturing, shipbuilding, the nuclear sector and space exploration."

According to Mr Ivanov, the Russian Government hopes that the Helicopters of Russia holding and the Oboronprom Corporation will "dramatically increase the manufacturing of helicopters."

Mr Ivanov is hopeful that the HeliRussia 2008 fair would provide a necessary boost to the development of the helicopter market, due to helicopter manufacturing's placement within the high-tech industry.