There are unconfirmed reports that Russia may offer co-development and joint production of the Kamov Ka-60 Helicopter to India which is looking for a replacement for its Soviet era Mi-8 choppers.
Development of the new Kamov Ka-60/62 medium twin helicopter — the first Kamov non-coaxial rotor aircraft — is gaining momentum after Indian Army shown interest in Ka-60.Capable of carrying up to a 2,500-kg payload, the Ka-60/62 was designed to fill a niche between the Ka-226 light twin and medium-class Ka-32 and Mil Mi-8/17 helicopters.
The Ka-62 is fitted with two French-made Ardiden 3G 1,680 h.p. engines made by Turbomeca. Their modular design ensures high reliability, heightened ease of operation, and low fuel use. The helicopter is also equipped with a glass cockpit developed by the Russian company Transas.
The Ka-62 is built to a single-rotor design with a multi-blade anti-torque rotor ducted into the vertical tail fin. It has a five-bladed main rotor, enclosed tail rotor, secondary hydraulics circuit, heavy-duty wheeled landing gear, strengthened fuselage and mounting attachments for major components, as well as shock-absorbent seats for passengers and crew.
The airframe and propeller blades will be over 50% made of polymeric composite materials.The Ka-62 is designed for cargo transportation, medevac and search and rescue operations,
Unlike all other Kamov models that feature distinctive co-axial rotors, Ka-60 has a classic helicopter design with a five-bladed main rotor and shrouded tail rotor. According to the designers, its rotor blades and more than half of the fuselage are made from composites. Kamov currently has only one prototype in flight, powered by 1,300-hp NPO Saturn RD-600V turboshafts.
Russia and India have already signed agreements to jointly manufacture the Ka-226 light utility helicopter in India for the Indian Army to replace its ageing Cheetah and Chetak Helicopters which are in use both by the Indian Army and Navy.
Intended as a replacement for the Mil Mi-8, the Ka-60 is to be used for aerial reconnaissance, for transporting air-assault forces, radio-electronic jamming, for special-operations missions and for various light-transport missions.
The Indian Armed forces operate more than 400 Mil Mi-8 helicopters and they all need to be replaced with modern, sophisticated helicopters that will serve the forces for the next 20 years.
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