Delivery will take place –RoE

By IDI

The Russian defence exporter Rosoboronexport, on Friday, rebutted the media reports on the  breakdown of talks between India and Russia on the 10 Ka-31 deal for the Indian Navy.

Speaking to the reporters during the HeliRussia-2022, Cheif Executive of Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheyev said, “The work with India on this issue continues. The Ka-31 has no rivals and is the world’s sole deck-based radar surveillance helicopter. It perfectly copes with the tasks of controlling the air and sea situation and monitoring economic zones and water areas.”

In 2019, India decided to buy 10 of these airborne early warning (AEW) helicopters for $520 million from Russia. The Ka-31s are expected to be deployed on the aircraft carrier and the Grigorovich-class frigates.

Quoting anonymous sources, Defence News, on May 17, reported that India has suspended talks with Russia on the purchase of Ka-31 “following uncertainties in arms supplies amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

“The official, who was not authorized to speak to the press, said the government-to-government deal added that the suspension is due to concerns over Moscow’s ability to execute orders as well as issues related to payment transfers,” the Defence News said.

The Ka-31 is an upgraded version of the Ka-28, operational with the Navy. Since 2003, India has purchased 14 Ka-31 helicopters.

 

Ka-31

Radar picket helicopter

Mission and primary tasks

The Ka-31 radar picket helicopter is designed to detect both air targets, including low-flying ones against background of sea and land, as well as surface ships, track and identify them, as well as provide automatic data transmission to ground and ship-based command and control centers.

The helicopter significantly increases the effectiveness naval and air operations, providing ships and aircraft with timely information on the activities of enemy ships, planes and helicopters.

Equipment and armament

Under the transport cabin floor there is a support-rotating mechanism of a 6-meter long flat antenna. Rotation of the antenna sheet at a constant rate of 6 r/min provides scanning of the space in the horizontal plane. In the stowed position the antenna is pressed against the bottom of the fuselage.

The helicopter is equipped with a flight control and navigation system and onboard communications equipment.

Main advantages

• capability of using both ground airfields and ships, day and night, and in adverse weather conditions;
• helicopter operability in all areas of the oceans of the world;
• the cost of radar picket missions performed by the Ka-31 helicopter is significantly lower compared with using any plane of a similar purpose;
• high safety and single-engine flight and landing capability;
• high target approach accuracy through installation of an inertial-satellite navigation system;
• suitability for use in air traffic management and search & rescue operations;
• high mobility enabling the use of the helicopter from underdeveloped airfields and unprepared sites.

Principales características

Takeoff weight, kg г                                                12500

Max speed, km/h                                                    220

Patrolling speed, km/h                                           100

Max patrolling altitude, m                                       3500

Patrolling endurance, h                                          2.5

 

Helicopter dimensions, m:

length (with rotor blades folded)                            12.25

width                                                                       3.8

height                                                                      5.5

Crew                                                                        2