Moscow to go ahead with delivery of Ka-31 helicopters to New Delhi
According to the reports of May 17, India had suspended talks with Russia on the delivery of ten Ka-31 helicopters. The decision was also caused by uncertainty over the deliveries in the wake of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and payment hassles.
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Moscow, May 21: Russia continues working with India on the delivery of Kamov Ka-31 deck-based radar picket helicopters, CEO of the state arms exporter Rosoboron export Alexander Mikheyev said at the Heli Russia-2022 helicopter show on Friday (May 20). Recently, India had put the talks on the Ka-31 helicopter deal with Russia on hold.
According to Russian News Agency TASS, 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. The chief executive said it perfectly copes with the tasks of controlling the air and sea situation and monitoring economic zones and water areas.
According to the reports of May 17, India had suspended talks with Russia on the delivery of ten Ka-31 helicopters. The decision was also caused by uncertainty over the deliveries in the wake of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and payment hassles. India had filed a request to Russia for the purchase of Ka-31 helicopters in May 2019. The negotiations were interrupted due to the COVID 19 pandemic and resumed again in Feb 2022. The sides agreed that a batch of helicopters would cost USD 520 million. Indian Navy currently operates 14 Ka-31 helicopters purchased from Russia in 2003-2015.
The Ka-31 is fitted with the E-801M Oko (Eye) airborne electronic warfare radar which features a 6x1 meter planar array mounted beneath the fuselage. The radar is folded and stowed beneath the aircraft's fuselage before being lowered into a vertical position, to allow 360 degrees mechanical scanning of the radar once every ten seconds.