Government responds to military pressure and orders Ka-50

Published: 11/4/1999

According to a source in the Russian Ministry of Defence (MOD), reported in the Russian media, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has approved the production of several Ka-50 Black Shark helicopters, some equipped with night vision devices, in an effort to beef up the attack helicopter capability of the Russian forces in the North Caucasus. The absence of the helicopter from the conflict in the region has recently been criticised and the army, although confident about the Mi-24's capabilities, have been looking for more attack muscle. (www.concise.org. 22nd November 1999). The first Ka-50 helicopter was built in 1999 by the Progress aircraft manufacturing plant in the Far Eastern city of Arsenyev as part of this year's defence order. It was to be adopted by the Far Eastern helicopter wing in November, but due to ongoing hostilities in Chechnya, it will also be sent to the North Caucasus. The Progress plant is currently completing the construction of the second helicopter which will be adopted by the Air Force next April. It is financed out of the plant's own means, gained from export orders. Putin has said that the federal budget will provide for the next lot.

Article ID: 1047