Russian military to receive up to 30 Alligator helicopters by 2012

ARSENYEV (Primorye), October 29 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian Armed Forces will receive up to 30 new Kamov Ka-52 Alligator helicopters by 2012, the head of the Progress aircraft maker said on Wednesday.

"The company plans to deliver up to 30 Ka-52 helicopters by 2012," Yury Denisenko told reporters after a demonstration of the helicopter in Arsenyev, in Russia's Far East.

Ka-52 chief designer Sergei Mikheyev said the helicopter would meet strong demand on the world arms market, and that India and several Southeast Asian countries had already shown an interest.

He also said a new, ship-born Ka-52 modification would be developed soon.

The multi-role all-weather combat Ka-52 Alligator (NATO reporting name: Hokum B) helicopter is a twin-seat derivative of the attack Ka-50. It can be used for a wide range of combat missions. (Russian combat helicopters - Image Gallery)