The main news regarding the export of Russian arms in May 2017 was about the supply of aviation equipment. In particular, details appeared regarding the export deliveries of Ka-52 helicopters to Egypt, information about the creation of a joint Russian-Indian enterprise for the production of Ka-226T helicopters and news about a possible contract with Bangladesh for the supply of the first batch of Su-30 multipurpose fighters.
Russia and India set up a joint venture to produce Ka-226T helicopters
According to the Indian Embassy in the Russian Federation, on May 2, 2017, the Indian-Russian Joint Stock Company India-Russia Helicopters Limited Company was established by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs of the Government of India, the main activity of this company will be the production of helicopters. This event marked the formal creation of a joint venture between the two countries with the participation of the Indian state association Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL) and the Russian JSC Russian Helicopters, as well as JSC Rosoboronexport. According to the Indian side, this event became a key milestone in the organization of joint production of Ka-226T helicopters in India with the participation of Russia. An intergovernmental agreement on the creation of this joint venture was signed in the Russian capital on December 24, 2015 as part of the 16th annual India-Russia summit at the highest level.
Specialized blog bmpd notes that the assembly of Kamov Ka-226T helicopters in India as part of the joint venture is planned to be deployed at the new production site of HAL, located in Tumakuru (located 74 kilometers north of Bangalore). The cost of the production lines being built here is estimated at 50 billion rupees (about 670 million US dollars), and the number of workers employed in the production of helicopters will be about 4 thousand people. It is assumed that the assembly of the Ka-226T in Tumakuru may begin as early as 2018.
Photo: russianhelicopters.aero/ru
The Ka-226T is a military version of a light multipurpose helicopter, which is designed to perform various operations in hard-to-reach conditions of high mountains, hot climates, as well as over sea areas, transporting goods (up to 1500 kg), transporting 7 paratroopers or service personnel, conducting reconnaissance, target designation and monitoring the situation.
The Ka-226T is a version of the helicopter powered by Turbomeca's Arrius 2G1 engines and a new gearbox. Already in 2010, an experienced helicopter of this version took part in the competition of the Indian Armed Forces. The helicopter inherited all the best from its predecessor Ka-226 - modular design, reliability, low vibration level, simple piloting technique, flight safety, and unpretentious operation.
Bangladesh ordered 8 Su-30SME fighters
According to the Internet resource BDMilitary.com, the Bangladesh Air Force signed a contract with Rosoboronexport for the supply of 8 multipurpose Su-30SME fighters with an option to purchase 4 more aircraft in the future under the same contract. The news says that the conclusion of the contract was confirmed by an unnamed representative of the state corporation "Rostec". The agreement also provides for the supply of appropriate weapons and training of pilots, engineers and technicians in the interests of the Bangladesh Air Force. It should be noted that the Su-30SME is currently the export version of the Russian Su-30SM fighter (serial, modernized), which in turn has become an adaptation of the Su-30MKI for the Russian Air Force.
photo: uacrussia.ru
The two-seat highly maneuverable multipurpose fighter Su-30SM has super-maneuverability, is equipped with engines with a controlled thrust vector (AL-31FP), a phased array radar (PAR), as well as a front horizontal tail. This fighter is able to use modern and advanced high-precision weapons of the "air-to-surface" and "air-to-air" class. The fighter can be used to train pilots for advanced multifunctional super-maneuverable single-seat fighters.
The aircraft was created by the efforts of the Sukhoi Design Bureau and is manufactured at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant - a branch of PJSC Irkut Corporation. It is worth noting that, since 2016, the aerobatic group of the Russian Air Force "Russian Knights" has been flying on Su-30SM aircraft.
New details on the supply of Ka-52 helicopters to Egypt
In 2015, Egypt purchased 46 Ka-52 attack helicopters from Russia, becoming the first foreign customer for these combat vehicles. According to Andrey Boginsky, CEO of the Russian Helicopters holding company of the State Corporation Rostec, Russia will fulfill the first export contract for the supply of Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters by 2020. The Egyptian military will receive the first helicopters in the summer of 2017. At present, flight tests are underway for the first export-version Ka-52 combat helicopters, manufactured by the Arsenyev Aviation Company "Progress" specially for Egypt. The second foreign customer for these combat helicopters may be Algeria, which is traditionally included in the list of the largest buyers of Russian-made weapons.
Combat reconnaissance and attack helicopter Ka-52 "Alligator" is designed to destroy tanks, as well as armored and unarmored enemy equipment, its manpower, helicopters and other aircraft at the front line, as well as in the tactical depth of its defense at any time of the day and in any climatic conditions. The helicopter received powerful weapons and state-of-the-art avionics. The armament of the helicopter can be changed for different combat missions, and the coaxial rotor layout, which is the hallmark of Kamov's helicopters, allows the machine to efficiently maneuver and perform complex aerobatics. Among other things, the Ka-52 received an electronic protection system and devices for reducing the visibility, as well as active countermeasures. Today, these helicopters are in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces and are taking part in a combat operation in Syria. The ship modification of the helicopter was part of the air wing of the Russian aircraft carrier "Admiral Kuznetsov" during its recent cruise to the shores of the SAR.
photo: rostec.ru
According to the official website of the state corporation "Rostec". Within a month, the results of the tender of the Egyptian Navy will become known, according to the results of which the Ka-52 reconnaissance and attack helicopters in the ship modification of the Ka-52K may be ordered in Russia. Andrei Boginsky believes that Russian-made combat helicopters have a fairly high chance of winning, since in their characteristics they surpass competitors' helicopters.
It should be noted that the Ka-52K helicopters have already passed the first stage of sea trials, which took place from late 2016 to early 2017. Two Ka-52K helicopters took part in the tests. Based on the results of the fulfillment of the tasks set by the command, the tests of these combat vehicles were recognized as successful. The helicopters have already been placed at the disposal of the engineers of Kamov JSC to perform additional research work on the helicopter, as well as its individual components and assemblies, to make changes taking into account possible requirements from the military.
Combat helicopter Ka-52K is a continuation of the product line of "sea" helicopters, created by engineers of JSC "Kamov" and adopted by the Russian Navy. This line includes such well-known helicopters as the Ka-25, Ka-27, Ka-29, Ka-31. The new Ka-52K combat helicopter is designed for patrolling and providing fire support for landing troops during landings, as well as solving anti-amphibious defense missions at the front line and in the tactical depth of enemy defenses. The presence of modern equipment on board the helicopter provides the combat vehicle with navigation in the absence of landmarks at sea.
photo: rostec.ru
The Ka-52K version differs from the basic model of an attack helicopter in the presence of a shortened folding wing, which was specially modified for the installation of heavy weapons, as well as a folding mechanism for the blades, which allows the helicopter to be compactly located in the hold of warships. The reduced size of ship-based helicopters allows more of these machines to be placed on a warship. The presence of an armored cockpit and an ejection system allows pilots to safely leave the helicopter in an emergency. In addition, the Ka-52K helicopter was equipped with a rescue device kit (KSU), which allows rescuing people in distress at sea.
Also, an important feature of this version of the combat helicopter was the use of corrosion-resistant materials in its design, which is due to the need to service the helicopter in a maritime climate (aggressive environment). The ship-based Ka-52 helicopter received an upgraded air conditioning system, which allows for ventilation of the crew members' marine rescue suits. Among other things, the Ka-52K was additionally equipped with a short-range radio-technical navigation system, which was not used on the base helicopter model.
Armenia could become the first foreign buyer of "Verba" MANPADS
According to information published on the Armenian Internet resource PanARMENIAN. Ne, shortly after the end of the so-called “Four-Day War” with Azerbaijan in April 2016, Armenia bought new portable 9K333 Verba anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia. Publishing this information, the publication refers to the newspaper of the Armenian Defense Ministry “Hay Zinvor”.
According to Artur Poghosyan, Colonel of the Armed Forces of Armenia, after the conflict in April 2016, the country made appropriate conclusions, in particular, the Armenian military took measures to urgently strengthen the component of the military air defense system and re-equip it with modern complexes. According to Poghosyan, at the same time a batch of "Verba" and "Igla-S" MANPADS was purchased. At the same time, news about the purchase of Igla-S MANPADS appeared back in February 2016, but information about the acquisition of Verba MANPADS was announced for the first time.
Photo: vitalykuzmin.net
According to information from open sources, MANPADS "Verba" can hit air targets in the range of altitudes from 10 to 4500 meters and at a distance of 500-6000 meters. The maximum speed of targets hit on a collision course can reach 400 m / s. It is reported that the 9M336 missile of this complex is equipped with an infrared tri-band homing head. If the information published by the Armenian Internet publication is true, then Armenia will become the first known foreign buyer of the modern Russian portable anti-aircraft missile system "Verba".
