Russian Navy about to receive its first eight upgraded Ka-27M helicopters

Russia’s Naval Aviation will receive the first eight upgraded Kamov Ka-27M (NATO reporting name: Helix) shipborne helicopters, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman for the Navy Igor Dygalo said. "The Naval Aviation is planned to receive the first eight upgraded Ka-27M helicopters in December 2016," Dygalo said.

The Ka-27M is the latest modification of the Kamov Ka-27 developed for the Soviet Navy, and currently in service in several countries, including Russia, Ukraine, China and South Korea.

According to Igor Dygalo, the Ka-27M helicopters have been equipped with an upgraded avionics suite, an advanced surveillance system offering new submarine search-and-destroy capabilities and sonars. The Ka-27M also received a a FH-A active phased array radar mounted under the fuselage and provides allround visibility for detection of surface, air and ground targets.

Serial upgrading to the level of Ka-27M was planned to begin in 2014, but up to now eight Ka-27PLs of the Aviation of the Northern Fleet underwent the modernization program.