MOSCOW, January 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has received export orders for the delivery of Ka-52 Hokum-B combat helicopters from three countries, the manufacturer said on Tuesday. (Ka-52 Alligator helicopter production launched - Image Galleries) 

The Ka-52 is a twin-seat derivative of the Ka-50 Hokum-A attack helicopter, and is designed primarily for reconnaissance and target designation purposes. It is similar to the U.S. AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

"We have received orders for these helicopters from three countries," said Yury Denisenko, general director of the Progress aircraft manufacturing company.

"We are studying these orders and will provide the names of the countries that ordered the aircraft if the contracts are signed," he added.

Denisenko also said that the Russian Defense Ministry would remain the key customer for Ka-52 helicopters, although he refused to disclose the number of aircraft ordered by the military, citing confidentiality.

The Russian government approved the production of Ka-52 attack helicopters at the Arsenyevsk plant in Russia's Far East in December last year.

According to Russia's Air Force chief, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, deliveries of the first 12 Ka-52 Hokum-Bs to the Russian Air Force will start in 2009.