India plans to procure additional Kamov Ka-31 AEW&C helicopters

A Russian-made Kamov Ka-31 Helix AEW&C helicopter. Photo c/o Russuan Helicopters / Flight Global.

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently approved the proposal by the Indian Navy (IN) to purchase up to ten (10) Kamov Ka-31 Helix airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) helicopters from Russia.

The cost of the procurement is expected to reach around INR36 billion (US$518 million).

The procurement of 10 Ka-31 AEW&C helicopters, used as airborne pickets by the IN, will allow them to improve their situational awareness at sea, and follow-on orders after India ordered 12 similar helicopters from Russia almost 2 decades ago.

Out of the 10 helicopters, 8 units are expected to be embarked aboard the upcoming Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356M) stealth frigates, which are currently under construction in India and Russia. The 2 other units will be embarked on the aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and the upcoming INS Vikrant.

The Ka-31 is equipped with a fuselage-mounted E-801M Oko electro-mechanically steered radar antenna, allowing 360 degrees coverage to provide targets to warships and aircraft.



[1] Shephard Media
[2] Flight Global
[3] Jane’s Defence Weekly