Kamov Ka 226: The light helicopters that Russia wants to 'Make in India'
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Kamov Ka 226
<b>ET Bureau & Economictimes.com</b><br><br>Hidden in the details of the government's recent big-bang 'Make in India' push in the defence production was the fine print about the Russian deal, by nomination not tender, to manufacture 200 Kamov Ka 226 light helicopters. <br><br><i>We take a look at some salient features of the Kamov Ka 226 light helicopters:</i>
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To replace ageing Cheetah fleet
These helicopters are desperately needed to replace the ageing Cheetah fleet which services one of the world's highest military deployments on the Siachen glacier. <br><br>Work on this had begun right after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit in December.
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Military version
According to Russian Helicopters, the military version of light multi-mission helicopter Ka-226T is designed for operation in hard-to-reach highland conditions, warm climate and oversea, reconnaissance, targeting and monitoring, cargo transportation (up to 1,500 kg), transportation of 7 troopers or service personnel.
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Specifications:
<b>Maximum speed:</b> 250 km/h<br><br><b>Cruise speed:</b> 220 km/h<br><br><b>Maximum flight range with main fuel tanks:</b> 600 km<br><br><b>Operational ceiling:</b> 5,700 m
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Weight Parameters
<b>Maximum take-off weight:</b> 3,600 kg<br><br><b>With underslung load:</b> 3,800 kg<br><br><b>Maximum Payload in transport cabin:</b> 1,200 kg<br><br><b>Maximum Payload on external sling:</b> 1,500 kg
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Powered by
The Ka-226T is powered by 580 h.p. FADEC-equipped Arrius 2G1 engines by Turbomeca, says Russian Helicopters. <br><br><i>In pic: Civilian version of Ka 226T</I>
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Variants
According to Russian Helicopters, the transport model can carry one tonne within the fuselage or on an external sling and cargo platform can be installed to carry oversize goods.<br><br>The search-and-rescue version of the Ka-226 boasts of high hover precision which makes it possible to get injured people on board.<br><br><i>In pic: Civilian version of Ka 226T</I>
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Russian Helicopters deal
Defence ministry officials told ET that the Russian Helicopters deal has effectively killed any other light helicopter project for the armed forces, including a process that was initiated for an Indian-led JV to manufacture a new range of choppers.
