India Re-Starts Negotiations with Russia for Ka-31 Helicopter Purchase

Rosoboronexport says it is working to provide Kamov Ka-31s to India, days after foreign media reports claimed that Russia had suspended delivery of the helicopters.

"The work with India on this issue continues. The Ka-31 has no rivals and is the world’s sole deck-based radar surveillance helicopter. It perfectly copes with the tasks of controlling the air and sea situation and monitoring economic zones and water areas," CEO of the state arms exporter Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheyev was quoted as saying by TASS at the HeliRussia-2022 helicopter show on Friday.

On May 17, the Defense News reported citing sources in India’s Defense Ministry that India had suspended talks with Russia on the delivery of ten Ka-31 helicopters. The decision was reportedly caused by uncertainty over the deliveries in the wake of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and payment hassles. Indian Navy officials said the suspension represents a setback for the service because the Ka-31 helicopters are needed for the country’s second aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which was locally built and will be commissioned in July.

India filed a request to Russia for the purchase of Ka-31 helicopters in May 2019. The negotiations were interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic and restarted in February 2022. The sides agreed that a batch of helicopters would cost $520 million, the TASS report said

India’s Navy currently operates 14 Ka-31 helicopters purchased from Russia in 2003-2015