Alexander Velovich/MOSCOW
SERIOUS FUNDING shortfalls are shackling the Russian army aviation corps' attempts to acquire an all-weather rotary-wing attack capability, according to its commander, Col Gen Vitaly Pavlov.
The Russian army will receive only 46 billion roubles (about $11 million at market rates) for acquisition in 1995, according to Pavlov. This is likely to be spent on spares for its existing combat fleet, rather than on new helicopters.
Kamov and Mil are working on all-weather variants of their Ka-50 Hokum and Mi-28 Havoc attack helicopters, respectively, to fulfil army aviation needs. The cash to fund these aircraft, however, is not being made available.
According to Pavlov, army helicopter forces operating in Chechnya are being constrained by a lack of advanced night-vision systems.
The army's aviation commander says that all the current types in the inventory are proven, but obsolete, and that there is no money available to fund new equipment purchases.
In 1994, the Army received only two Hokums, and "...it is not practical to use them in Chechnya", the general adds.
The problem has been highlighted by the poor weather, which limits day operations in the area, Pavlov says, with fog or heavy low cloud present about 80% of the time.
Crews are ordered to fire Shturm (AT-6 Spiral) missiles or air-to-ground rockets only when in visual contact with targets.
Army aviation has deployed two Mil Mi-24 Hind units with about 46 helicopters in Chechnya, and two units of Mil Mi-8 Hip transport helicopters in support, as well as some Mil Mi-26 Halos.
Four Mi-8s are fitted with psychological-warfare equipment, including leaflet-dropping pods and loudspeaker equipment.
The force has been heavily committed to transport operations, with only 17% of missions being attack sorties. By the beginning of February, 870t of cargo had been flown, 12,000 troops moved and about 2,000 casualties evacuated.
Two Mi-24s and two Mi-8s have been shot down in the campaign so far, as well as a Russian air force Sukhoi Su-25.
Source: Flight International
