Kamov copter deliveries likely to begin from 2020

Chennai, April 11 

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The Indo-Russian joint venture to manufacture Kamov 226-T helicopters could commence deliveries from 2020, said Dmitry Shves, the director of the Kamov project from Russia. 

The joint venture was registered in Bengaluru in May 2017 within the framework of the inter-governmental agreement for the production of Ka-226T helicopters. 

While 140 of these helicopters will be manufactured at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plant in Bengaluru, another 60 would be supplied from Russia.

Shves, talking to the media at the DefExpo, said: “If the contract is signed this year, deliveries from the Russian plant can commence by 2020.” He said the company’s plant in Russia was fast readying itself to manufacture the 60 Ka-226Ts.

To a question, Shves said the (US) sanctions would not affect the supply of Turbomeca engines for the copters from France. The naval version of the Ka-226T will be offered against the naval utility copter tender floated by the Indian Navy. This is for 111 helicopters to be based on ship-decks. — TNS