Sixteen multirole Kamov Ka-52 helicopters will be handed over to the Russian military before the end of this year, Yuri Borisov told RIA Novosti news agency.
“This year we are slated to receive sixteen Ka-52s,” Borisov said after a visit to the Progress plant in Arsenyev, 160 km from Vladivostok.
The plant’s Director, Yuri Denisenko, for his part, pledged to complete all the 146 ordered aircraft before the 2020 deadline.
The Ka-52 Alligator is a next-generation reconnaissance and combat helicopter designed to destroy tanks, armored and non-armored ground targets, enemy troops and helicopters both on the front line and in the tactical reserves.
The helicopter can operate around the clock and in all weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has touted the country's combat helicopters as the best such vehicles in the world.
He gave the thumbs-up after flying on board the next-generation reconnaissance and combat helicopter Ka-52, which he described as a “flying tank”.
“Today I was cruising around aboard this flying tank”, Rogozin tweeted, referring to the Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” copter. “It is easily controlled and it is packed full of advanced automated systems.”
Rogozin described the Ka-52 as a less maneuverable vehicle when compared to a light helicopter, which he said is only natural for an “armored copter.”
“Right now, the Ka-52's helicopter carrier-based version is being developed. On the whole, Russian attack helicopters are the best in the world,” Rogozin said.
Source: Sputnik; RIA Novosti
