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Photo: helicopter carrier Mistral.
Russian combat helicopters Ka-52 could constitute an air group of Mistral-type helicopter carriers which Russia intends to purchase from France, said Andrei Shibitov, executive director of holding company Russian Helicopters at Wednesday's press conference.
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Russian Mistrals could be armed with Ka-52 helicopters
13.05.2010
Political decision of Mistral carriers procurement has been already made, reported RIA Novosti in April citing Mikhail Dmitriev, director of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC).
"Our French partners rated Ka-52 as the best attack helicopter for aircraft carriers [helicopter carriers]", said Shibitov answering the question what helicopters could be based on Mistrals.
According to him, when the ship visited Russia in 2009 two other helicopters were tested except for Ka-52; they were Ka-32AVS and Ka-27.
Ka-52 (on NATO classification Hokum B, also known as Alligator) carried out first flight in June 2008 at Arsenievo Range (Primorsky Krai) and was commissioned in the same year. The short-scale production of Alligators was launched on Oct 29, 2008 at Progress engineering plant. Russian armed forces will receive up to 30 helicopters Ka-52 till 2012 under defense order program.
Takeoff weight of the copter is 10.4 tons; air crew is 2; cruise speed is 270 kph; range is 520 km; hover ceiling is 3,600 meters.
Ka-52 is armed with 30-mm guns, Vikhr guided missiles, rockets (including heavy S-24), bombs.
Total displacement of helicopter carrier Mistral is 21,000 tons; length is 200 meters, beam is 32 meters; speed is 19 knots; operational range is 20,000 miles. The ship is capable to carry 6 helicopters on the deck; 4 landing boats or 2 air cushion vessels and up to 450 marines inside.
As reported by Russian and French media agencies, cost of one heli-carrier for Russian Navy would make 400-500 mln euro. In total, Russia plans to have four ships of this class. One is supposed to be built in France; the rest three would be constructed at Russian shipyards under French license. In its turn, the French party intends to build two carriers for sale.
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