The overall value of exported helicopters flatlined via an average -0.4% for all exporting countries from 5 years earlier in 2019 when helicopters sold on international markets were valued at $5.87 billion.
Year over year, the global tally for exported helicopter sales grew by 6.1% compared to $5.51 starting from 2022.
The 5 biggest exporters of helicopters (regardless of helicopter size) are the United States of America, Germany, France, Canada and Russia. Combined, that quintet of major exporters sold over two-thirds (70%) of all helicopters exported onto international markets in 2023.
The value of exported smaller helicopters equaled $1.57 billion in 2023 amounting to 26.8% of the overall total up from 24.4% in 2022. The comparable metrics for exported larger helicopters were $4.3 billion or 73.2% of total helicopters sold worldwide, down from 75.6% for the prior year.
From a continental perspective, suppliers in Europe earned the most revenue from exported helicopters during 2023 with deliverables valued at $2.75 billion or 47% of the global sum. In second place were exporters located in North America at 37.3% while another 9.6% of international helicopter sales originated from Asia.
Smaller percentages came from Latin America (4.3%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean, Africa (1%), then Oceania led by Australia (0.8%).
For research purposes, the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) code prefix for smaller helicopters is 880211 for those weighing 2,000 kilograms (4,409.25 pounds) or less. Concerning larger helicopters, the HTS code is 880212. Both codes were used to calculate the figures presented below.
Helicopters Exports by Country
Below are the 15 countries that exported the highest dollar value worth of helicopters (including both large and small models) during 2023.
- United States: US$1.5 billion (26.2% of total exported helicopters)
- Germany: $857.1 million (14.7%)
- France: $722.9 million (12.4%)
- Canada: $650.4 million (11.1%)
- Russia: $331.1 million (5.7%)
- United Kingdom: $295.8 million (5.1%)
- Türkiye: $192.1 million (3.3%)
- Poland: $184.8 million (3.2%)
- Chile: $146.3 million (2.5%)
- mainland China: $116.4 million (2%)
- Singapore: $76.1 million (1.3%)
- Netherlands: $66.5 million (1.14%)
- Guyana: $54.7 million (0.93%)
- Czech Republic: $50 million (0.85%)
- Malaysia: $49.2 million (0.84%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 91% of globally exported helicopters in 2023.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing helicopters exporters since 2019 were: Türkiye (up 1,280%), Netherlands (up 394.9%), Guyana (up 256.5%) and mainland China (up 239.7%).
Three major suppliers posted declines in their exported helicopters sales: United Kingdom (down -40% from 2022), United States of America (down -19.3%) and Canada (down -12.6%).
Top 15 Exporters of Smaller Helicopters
Below are the 15 countries that exported the highest dollar value worth of smaller-sized helicopters during 2023. That is, helicopters weighing 2,000 kilograms (4,409.25 pounds) or less.
- France: US$395.2 million (25.2% of exported small helicopters)
- Canada: $361.4 million (23%)
- Germany: $202 million (12.9%)
- Russia: $140.4 million (9%)
- United States: $52 million (3.3%)
- mainland China: $41 million (2.6%)
- Chile: $40.7 million (2.6%)
- United Kingdom: $37.8 million (2.4%)
- Switzerland: $37.5 million (2.4%)
- Austria: $32.7 million (2.1%)
- Australia: $29.9 million (1.9%)
- Czech Republic: $25.8 million (1.6%)
- Italy: $16.8 million (1.1%)
- Singapore: $15 million (1%)
- Poland: $12.7 million (0.8%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 91.8% of globally exported small helicopters in 2023.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing exporters of small helicopters since 2019 were: United States of America (up 10,092%), mainland China (up 749.1%), Poland (up 203.4%) and Germany (up 120.8%).
Major suppliers that posted declines in their exported small helicopters sales were: Singapore (down -38.2% from 2019), Chile (down -37.1%), Canada (down -9.7%) and Italy (down -6.5%).
Top 15 Exporters of Larger Helicopters
Below are the 15 countries that exported the highest dollar value worth of larger-sized helicopters during 2023. For the purposes of this analysis, larger helicopters are those weighing over 2,000 kilograms (4,409.25 pounds).
- United States: US$1.5 billion (34.5% of exported large helicopters)
- Germany: $655.1 million (15.3%)
- France: $327.7 million (7.7%)
- Canada: $289 million (6.8%)
- United Kingdom: $258.1 million (6%)
- Russia: $190.6 million (4.5%)
- Türkiye: $189.3 million (4.4%)
- Poland: $172.1 million (4%)
- Chile: $105.6 million (2.5%)
- mainland China: $75.5 million (1.8%)
- Singapore: $61.1 million (1.4%)
- Netherlands: $55 million (1.3%)
- Guyana: $54.7 million (1.3%)
- Malaysia: $42 million (1%)
- United Arab Emirates: $38.5 million (0.9%)
By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 93.3% of globally exported large helicopters in 2023.
Among the above countries, the fastest-growing exporters of large helicopters since 2019 were: United Arab Emirates (up 3,732%), Türkiye (up 1,895%), Netherlands (up 1,461%) and Guyana (up 256.5%).
Major suppliers that posted declines in their exported large helicopters sales were: United Kingdom (down -45.8% from 2019), United States of America (down -22%), Canada (down -16%) and France (down -12.3%).
Helicopters Manufacturing Companies
Below are established players engaged in the international trade of helicopters. The home country for each is shown within parenthesis.
- Airbus Helicopters (France)
- Bell Helicopter (United States)
- Denel SOC Ltd (South Africa)
- Helibras (Brazil)
- Heli-Sport Helicopters (Italy)
- RotorWay Helicopter Manufacturing Company (United States)
- Youngcopter (Germany)
See also Aerospace Exports by Country, Aircraft Parts Exports by Country and Top Industrial Robots Exporters
Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Exports – Commodities. Accessed on November 10, 2024
Forbes Global 2000 rankings, The World’s Biggest Public Companies. Accessed on November 10, 2024
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on November 10, 2024
Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on November 10, 2024
Wikipedia, List of rotorcraft manufacturers by country. Accessed on November 10, 2024