About Ka-226T

• The Ka-226T is a light, twin-engine multi-role helicopter offered by Russian Helicopters, for military and civilian missions.
• The Ka-226T is an India specific variant of Ka-226 flown by the Russian border security and coast guard.
• The military version of Ka-226T is designed for operation in hard-to-reach upland conditions as well as hot and cold climates.
• It performs surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue (SAR), targeting, and transportation of cargo and troops.

• The helicopter also features a new transmission system and Kamov coaxial rotor system, including three upper rotor blades and a set of three lower rotor blades.
• The new rotor system avoids the need for a tail rotor, which ensures landings and take-offs from small sites.

Background

• In 2015, India and Russia concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for at least 200 Ka-226T helicopters estimated to cost over $1 billion.
• The Kamov-226T is meant to replace the ageing and obsolete Cheetah and Chetak fleets of the Indian Army and the Air Force.
• Of the 200, 60 helicopters will come directly from the RH plant in Russia and remaining will be assembled in India from supply kits from RH.
• The Indo-Russian Helicopters Limited (IRHL), a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian Helicopters (RH), will assemble the Ka-226T helicopters in India.
• Several MoUs have already been signed with domestic companies by RH for localising assemblies such as fuselage, blades, radio station and landing gear among others.

• However, the deal for 200 Ka-226T utility helicopters remains stuck over the level of indigenisation.

Why in News?

Russia has agreed to quickly address some urgent defence requirements sought by India and this was discussed during the recent trip of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Russia. It includes deals for AK-203 assault rifles and Ka-226T light utility helicopters.

AK-203 deal

• AK-203 assault rifle deal has been held up over pricing decisions.
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• The deal for over 7.5 lakh rifles of which one lakh would be imported and 6.71 lakh rifles manufactured by a joint venture (JV) Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at Korwa in Uttar Pradesh.