Russian Helicopters produce first Ka-52 Alligator in 2017

A Russian Helicopters subsidiary – Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company, which is part of State Corporation Rostec, has produced this year’s first Ka-52 Alligator - a reconnaissance and combat helicopter.

The helicopter built at Progress has already successfully and fully completed all ground and flight tests required by the technical terms and conditions of the government contract.  Several more rotorcraft bodies of the new helicopters are at their final assembly point at Arsenyev. In February, another batch of Ka-52 helicopters will be transferred to their operators.

The first batch of Alligators scheduled for delivery in 2017 per government contract terms was transferred to the Russian Ministry of Defense ahead of schedule in December of last year. In 2017, production of these helicopters will be more than doubled as some will be headed overseas.  The first experimental unit for a foreign customer has already been assembled and is successfully passing all tests as planned.

"We took all necessary organizational and technological steps at Progress to expand production in view of the forthcoming volume increase. Today, the plant is ready to produce world-class Ka-52 helicopters in a timely manner, for the Ministry of Defense, as well as for foreign customers," - said Russian Helicopters Deputy CEO for Sales Vladislav Savelyev.

The reconnaissance and combat Ka-52 Alligator rotorcraft has been produced for the needs of the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Defense since 2010. The helicopter is designed to destroy tanks, armored and non-armored military equipment, ground targets, and enemy troops and helicopters both on the front line and in tactical reserves, in all weather conditions and at any time of the day.

The helicopter is equipped with the latest avionics and powerful weapon systems, which can be configured for a variety of combat missions.  The Alligator’s coaxial rotors and increased pitch power control allow to effectively maneuver and perform complex aerobatics. In addition, the Ka-52 Alligator is equipped with electronic and active counter measures and signature control devices that reduce, scatter and distort the engine heat wake.

Russian Helicopters, (part of State Corporation Rostec), is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. In 2015 its IFRS revenues increased 29.5% to RUB 220.0 billion. Deliveries reached 212 helicopters.

State Corporation Rostec is a Russian corporation founded in 2007 for the purpose of promoting the development, production and export of hi-tech civilian and military industry products. It comprises 700 organisations, nine of which have now been formed as holding companies of the military-industrial complex, six of them are involved in civil industries and 32 are directly controlled. Rostec’s portfolio includes recognised brands such as Avtovaz, Kamaz, Kalashnikov Concern, Russian Helicopters, and VSMPO-AVISMA. Rostec’s organisations are located in 60 constituent entities of the Russian Federation and supply their products to the markets of more than 70 countries. The revenue of Rostec in 2015 amounted to RUB 1.140 trillion. Average salaries within the Corporation amounted to RUB 41 thousand and tax deductions into the treasuries at all levels exceeded RUB 160 billion. According to the new Rostec strategy, the new main goal of the Corporation is to facilitate technological advantage of Russia at highly competitive international markets. Planned volume of investments into development until 2025 is RUB 4.3 trillion.