Article Posted on : - Aug 16, 2010

The Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia has plans to buy a French Mistral-class helicopter carrier from France, which will be armed with Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters, a media report said.

According to RIA Novosti, Air Force Commander Colonel General Alexander Zelin said that the Ka-52 Alligator helicopters are very advanced and are equal to best foreign models.

Russia began the development of the helicopter in 1994 but its serial production began only in 2008.

The Ka-52 helicopter is modified from the basic Ka-50 Hokum model. It is armed with 30-mm cannon, Vikhr (Whirlwind) laser guided missiles, rockets and bombs.

The helicopter has a Samshite nighttime-daytime thermal sighting system and it is also equipped with two radars, for both ground and aerial targets.

Currently, Russia will buy only one French-built Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, but later on the nation plans to manufacture three more vessels in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS.

A Mistral-class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armoured vehicles including 13 battle tanks and 450 personnel.

The Mistral ships is planned to be deployed at the Russian Northern and Pacific fleets.

The French and Russian governments will final the Mistral deal by the year end, the report said.