Russia’s aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to receive Ka-52K helicopter this year

: Posted On Monday, 04 July 2016 09:43

Naval Forces News - Russia

Russia’s aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to receive Ka-52K helicopter this year

Russia’s Project 11435 aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will receive the Kamov Ka-52K (NATO reporting name: Hokum-B) helicopter this year, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said. Borisov made this statement during a visit to the Progress Aircraft-Manufacturing Enterprise in Arsenyev in Russia’s Far East.

Russian Navy's new Ka-52K Hokum B Naval Attack Helicopter during its first test flight

"The R&D work on the shipborne helicopter is nearing completion. The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will receive the helicopter this year," Borisov said. During his visit, the deputy defense minister was shown the enterprise’s manufacturing facilities and the process of the production of the Ka-52 Alligator and Ka-52K helicopters.

As it was reported earlier, the air wing of Russia’s sole aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov has started performing test flights.

Earlier, the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was staying at the 35th Shipyard in Murmansk in northwest Russia to restore its technical readiness.

Russian Navy Aircraft Carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. Picture via Reddit

The helicopters were earlier intended to be based on two Mistral class LHD, which France has refused to deliver to Russia over Moscow's stance on developments in neighboring Ukraine.

Russian Helicopters rotocraft manufacturer and Russia’s Defense Ministry earlier said Ka-52K helicopters would be based on other ships of the Russian Navy instead of Mistrals. Russian Helicopters has also said the company expects deck-based Alligator helicopters to enjoy demand on international arms markets.