Kamov Offers Seaborne Helicopters To India: Reports

Russia’s Kamov helicopter design bureau and Russian Helicopters are ready to jointly supply modern seaborne helicopters for the Indian Navy on request, Kamov Chief Designer Sergei Mikheyev said on Tuesday, according to ITAR TASS.

“Upon request from the Indian Navy, we are ready to supply jointly with Russian Helicopters the necessary number of seaborne helicopters and offer the latest developments to the Indian side, including the Ka-52K helicopters,” Mikheyev was quoted as saying.

According to the report, Russian deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin last year suggested that India consider a possibility of setting up a joint venture to assemble Kamov helicopters in India. “We have a serious proposal for India which refers not only to purchases of Russian helicopters, Rogozin had said on the sidelines of a ceremony when the INS Vikramaditya was handed over to India. “Russia as India’s strategic partner proposes setting up a joint venture, including on India’s territory.”

This proposal was reportedly discussed as recently as June when high level defence talks held in New Delhi that were led by Indian Defence Secretary R K Mathur and Rostec Chief Executive Sergey Chemezov. The new government in New Delhi is eager to see such an idea come into fruition, it added.