Russia’s Navy To Get 10 Modernized Ka-72M Choppers A Year

Russian Navy will receive a batch of 10 modernised Ka-72M anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters a year, defense ministry said.

"This year, the number of Ka-27 helicopters arriving for naval aviation will make up another ten rotocraft. In compliance with the state armament program, the naval aviation is planned to be receiving 10 upgraded Ka-27M helicopters a year until the entire pool of these choppers is modernized," the ministry said in a statement, TASS reports.

A first batch of modernised Ka-72M choppers was delivered to the Navy in December 2016. The Kumertau factory began repairs and upgrades to Ka-27M standard at the beginning of 2015.

The Ka-27M upgrade programme was launched in the early 2000s. The helicopter's rotor system, powerplant, and airframe are unchanged while the mission system is completely new.

The Ka-27M's mission system includes the Phazotron-NIIR Bumerang (Boomerang) radar command-tactical system, integrated around the helicopter's FHA radar; the new Kema radio sonobuoy system with RGB-16MK buoys; upgraded Ros'-VM dipping sonar; new MMS-27 fixed magnetic anomaly detector; electronic support measures suite; data link; a navigator's tactical display; and a SSP-V-27M satellite system for deck landings. The Ka-27M can be armed with all available Russian weapons in the appropriate class, including APR-3 anti-submarine rocket torpedoes.