Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters, is about to begin delivery of a second batch of Kamov Ka-28 helicopters to the Chinese navy.
The first three of nine Ka-28s that China has on order are completing tests in Russia, and the first shipment is close to being sent to Beijing, says Russian Helicopters. China's order is believed to include anti-submarine warfare, search and attack variants.
"The first shipment of the Ka-28 to China is a small but confident step in the broadening co-operation with our Chinese partners. Today and in the future, the Russian helicopter industry is ready to provide any modern rotorcraft for navy and army forces of most countries, including our partners in China," says Andrei Shibitov, chief executive of Russian Helicopters.
Sergey Mikrukov, Kumertau Aviation managing director, adds: "There is a stable upward trend in global demand for Russian helicopters. Our enterprise is ready to satisfy the needs of our partners in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and on other markets both in midsize [Ka-28, Ka-32] and light [Ka-226T] helicopters."
The Ka-28 is the export variant of the Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It is fitted with high-altitude TV3-117VMAR turboshaft engines with increased nominal and cruise performance, says the company. In the search role, it is equipped with radio sonobuoys, and in the search and attack role with anti-submarine bombs and torpedoes including the high-speed homing APR-2E Orlan.
The order for nine Ka-28s is a follow-up to a 1998 deal, which included eight Ka-28s that included five anti-submarine warfare variants and three search and rescue variants.
Russian Helicopters says that these are equipped with the Izumrud search system. "The ASW Ka-28s were based on two Sovremenny-class destroyers purchased from Russia, and Luhai-class destroyers. The helicopters also assisted in targeting the on-board supersonic anti-ship SS-N-22 Sunburn missiles," says the company.
Helicopters manufactured in Russia dominate Chinese military fleets, with the country proving to be a reliable supplier over the past few decades. Russian Helicopters also aims to sell more Mil Mi-26T heavylift helicopters to China, which bought its second of the type last year.
The Mi-26T has a five-person crew and can take 80 passengers. It has been reported that the Chinese navy is keen to buy several dozen Ka-29 assault transport helicopters and Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters.
In September, Chinese state-owned helicopter manufacturer Avicopter said that it will jointly develop a 20t-plus heavylift helicopter with Russia and hopes to have it flying within five to 10 years.
Avicopter's vice-president international operations and marketing Xia Qunlin said at the time that the companies are conducting a feasibility study and "working out the general configuration".
The impetus for the move was the May 2008 earthquake that devastated Sichuan province and underscored China's need for more heavylift helicopters to help with disaster relief efforts, he added.
Source: Flight International
