Kamov Ka-226T Helicopter Contract Expected During India-Russia Summit

A contract to set up a joint venture for the production of Kamov Ka-226T helicopters in India is likely to be signed at the upcoming Russian-Indian summit this year end.

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Second Asia Department Zamir Kabulov was quoted by Ria Novosti as saying, "As far as I know, our relevant departments have transferred the business plan, the vision of how to do it, and the Indian side is looking into it. We are talking about the production of 400 Ka-226 helicopters."

The proposal to build over 400 choppers in India took off after talks between President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2014. The plan is to build the multi-role light helicopters for the Indian defense needs as well as exports.

Subsequently, the Indian MoD’s Defense Acquisition Council had cleared the procurement of an estimated 145 Kamov KA-226T light utility helicopters on May 22 this year. The proposal is to build the helicopters in India in partnership with a private industry partner.

With a maximum take-off weight of 4,000 tons, the Ka-226T is designed for cargo and passenger transportation to hard-to-reach mountainous areas and rescue and patrol operations. The helicopter had participated and met the selection criteria for light helicopter in an Indian MoD tender.

According to a report in the Russia & India publication, the heads of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense are due to visit Moscow in October, as part of the preparations for the Indo-Russian Summit to be held in early December. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Russia for the summit where several agreements in defense and other areas are on the anvil.