Third of Ka-226T Helicopters in India-Russia Deal to Be Assembled in Russia

Sixty of the 200 Ka-226T helicopters being purchased by New Delhi from Moscow as part of a new deal will be assembled in Russia, with the rest of the helicopters due to be assembled in India, the holding company Russian Helicopters said in a statement on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, Russian state technologies corporation Rostec, which Russian Helicopters is part of, said that Russia and India had signed an agreement to assemble no less than 200 Ka-226T helicopters. According to the corporation, the agreement also provides for the technical support, maintenance, operation and repair of the helicopters.

"The first 60 Ka-226Ts will be produced in Russia by Russian Helicopters’ Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise. The remaining 140 units will be assembled in India," the holding’s press service said in the statement.

The Indian Ministry of Defense is expected to be the first customer for the newly produced Ka-226Ts, according to the statement.

"In the future, the program can be extended. There is a possibility of joint access to markets of third countries," the statement added.

With a maximum take-off weight of 4,000 tons, the Ka-226T is designed for cargo and passenger transportation to hard-to-reach mountainous areas and rescue and patrol operations.