Russia's Kumertau factory is to deliver the first Kamov Ka-31 Helix airborne early warning helicopters to the Indian navy at the start of next year.
According to Kamov deputy chief designer Veniamin Kasyanikov, India has yet to confirm how many Ka-31s it will acquire. In August last year a $92 million deal for four Ka-31s was signed, but the navy could eventually take 12 machines.
Meanwhile, India is expected to sign a series of defence deals with Russia during this month's visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi. Last week, Indian air force head Air Chief Marshal AP Tipnis led a delegation to Moscow to complete negotiations on several of the deals.
Putin's visit is expected to see deals for Sukhoi Su-30MKI licence production, delivery and modernisation of the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier, development of the related RSK MiG-29K fighter and sales of Almaz S-300PMU (SA-10) and Antei Buk-M1 (SA-11) surface-to-air missile systems.
Source: Flight International
