Russia Selling Ka-52 Alligator Helicopters to Egypt

Egypt will receive the first batch of the Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopters already in 2017.

In 2017, the first batch of the Russian Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopters will be ready to be shipped to Egypt, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing Deputy CEO of the Russian Helicopters company, Igor Chechikov.

A contract for supply of 50 Russian attack helicopters was signed in December 2015. Egypt has become the first foreign customer, to whom Russia will supply the Ka-52 attack helicopters.

Constructing of the helicopters is carried out at the Progress helicopter plant in the city of Arsenyev in Primorsky Krai. According to Chechikov, the plant is loaded with orders for the combat helicopters up to 2020.

The Ka-52 Alligator is a modification of the famous K-50 Black Shark combat attack helicopter. It is the world’s only combat helicopter, where pilots sit side by side with each other that increase consistency of their actions. The Alligator is armed with 30 mm automatic cannon and the Vikhr guided missiles, which are capable to pierce any armor with an active protection.

The Ka-52 is in Russia’s service since 2011. More than 70 helicopters have been already produced, as well as a ship-based variant, the Ka-52K Katran, was created.