By Aritra Banerjee
The Kamov Ka-31 helicopters have recently caught the spotlight due to ripples formed by various news reports. The content of these reports largely concerns the status of the deal between India and Russia, whereby the former was to receive ten choppers for $520 million. The deal was given the go-ahead by India in 2019. However, the pandemic, as well as the Ukrainian conflict have cast a dark shadow on the process. Latest developments suggest that dialogue about the acquisition of the helicopters is ongoing.
Features Of The Ka-31
The Ka-31 is a radar picket helicopter provided with the ability to detect surface ships and air targets. The range of detection in terms of air targets includes low-flying targets flying against sea and land backgrounds. Surface ship detection is also complemented by the chopper’s ability to track and identify them, and relay automatic data transmission to ground and ship-based command and control centres.
The timely provision of information about activities of adversary vessels to ships and aircraft allow the helicopter to substantially boost the efficacy of naval and air operations.
In addition to these detection abilities, the helicopter, designated ‘Helix’ by NATO, comes equipped with a flight control and navigation system. It also features onboard communications equipment. The support-rotating mechanism of a 6-metre long flat antenna is placed under the transport cabin floor. The antenna sheet rotates constantly at a constant rate of 6 r/min. It enables the scanning of the space in the horizontal plane. The antenna lays pressed against the bottom of the fuselage in the stowed position. The inertial-satellite navigation system which enables high target approach accuracy is another important feature of this aircraft.
Not only is the chopper able to use both ground airfields and ships during the day and at night even in extremely adverse weather conditions, it can also operate in all oceanic areas of the world. The Ka-31 is claimed to be quite cost effective when it comes to performing radar picket missions. This comparison is limited to Ka-31 and any other plane serving the same or similar purposes. Moreover, the chopper flouts high safety when it comes to single-engine flight and landing capability. This Russian-made helicopter is designed for use in air traffic management and search & rescue operations. If the aircraft needs to operate from underdeveloped airfields and unprepared sites, its high mobility would allow for that kind of use, too.
Overall, the Ka-31 has a maximum speed of 220 km/h, with patrolling speed being 100 km/h. The chopper, which can carry 2 crews, has a patrolling endurance of 2.5 hours and can reach a maximum patrolling altitude of 3500 metres. It is powered by the TV3-117VMA engine.
India’s Ka-31s
The order for India’s first K-31s was placed for the Indian Navy in 1999. The helicopters were slated to be deployed on the INS Viraat aircraft carrier and other ships. In the decade following the first order, more orders were placed for these Russian aircraft. Data available in the public domain suggests the Indian Navy presently operates a fleet of 14 of these Ka-31 helicopters. These were purchased in the time period of 2003-2015. These choppers have been sold to the People’s Liberation Army Navy- the Chinese Navy- as well.
“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.”
Alexander Mikheyev, CEO Rosoboronexport
Rocky Road of Acquisitions
In May 2019, India’s Defence Acquisition Council provided their seal of approval for the purchase of ten more Ka-31 helicopters for the IN. News agencies had then reported that this proposed acquisition would cost India close to 3,600 crore Rupees.
However, the negotiations regarding these acquisitions were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were restarted in February this year. A recent news report published by Defense News cited an Indian Defence Ministry official saying that the country has suspended talks about delivery of the Kamov helicopters. Growing concern over deliveries, as well as payment hassles, arising in light of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, were stated as causes behind this reported decision. Some have insinuated that there are other factors at play behind this decision.
Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American military and geopolitical analyst told IA&D, “The situation with the KA-31 deal remains unclear. Unconfirmed reports from anonymous sources suggested that the deal is off due to Western pressure and uncertainty over paying for these helicopters. It might be true that there were unexpected complications with the deal but it’s difficult to believe that India would pull out of it due to foreign pressure.
After all, it continues to practice its policy of principled neutrality towards the Ukrainian Conflict despite unprecedented pressure from the US-led West to condemn and then sanction Moscow. Delhi is unlikely to have reversed its stance. If it did, then there’d be a lot more changes than just pulling out of one particular military-technical deal, which is why this explanation doesn’t seem credible.”
He further noted that speculations must remain realistic in this scenario where an official statement is yet to be received.
“It’s difficult to believe that India would pull out of it due to foreign pressure. “It’s difficult to believe that India would pull out of it due to foreign pressure. Delhi is unlikely to have reversed its stance. If it did, then there’d be a lot more changes than just pulling out of one particular military-technical deal, which is why this explanation doesn’t seem credible.””
Andrew Korybko, Moscow-based American Geopolitical Analyst
Allaying Fears
At the time of writing this article, this report had received no official confirmation from India. On the other hand, there has been an official statement from the Russian side. Alexander Mikheyev, CEO of the state arms exporter- Rosoboronexport, spoke about the matter at the HeliRussia-2022 helicopter show. He told the media that Russia is continuing to work with India on the delivery of Ka-31 deck-based 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,” Mikheyev highlighted.
