The Mistral-class helicopter carrier Vladivostok is seen at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, September 4, 2014.
A press release by company Russian Helicopters suggests that the Ka-52K helicopter (K stands for korabielny, which means naval), is ready and the first units of the rotor-craft have already been manufactured and are due to undergo a test-flying program.
The naval variant can fold its rotor blades for better space management aboard helicopter carriers.
The absence of a tail rotor makes the choppers ideal for use on carriers, even though they are slightly taller than their Western counterparts.
The company's announcement is noteworthy considering France's suspension of the delivery of the Mistral vessels which were meant to be fielded with the new helicopters.
The Ka-52K prototype has been tested aboard another Russian carrier, the Kuznetsov. The latest events, however, suggest that helicopters may not get a mother-ship on which to be stationed. Reports by defence24.pl state that the Mistrals would be home for 8 Ka-52Ks and the same number of multipurpose utility Ka-29TB’s.
According to another report, published by Polish State Radio, Jean-Yves Le Drian (head of the French Ministry of Defense) said the Mistrals would not be delivered to Russia anytime soon.
The French have their reasons for such a course of action: the ongoing Ukrainian crisis should leave none surprised by the suspension of the Mistral deals.
Francois Hollande has also spoken of the suspension in the past.
The Mistral deal entailed the purchase of two vessels, worth a combined $1.6 billion. It would have been the most lucrative military equipment import agreement for Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The first ship was to be delivered in October or November, and the second sometime next year.
The deal is especially sensitive since the ships in question are not a defensive piece of equipment. They are rather an offensive weapon able to accommodate 700 soldiers, 16 assault helicopters, and 50 armored vehicles, which makes them similar in character to the assault ships used by the US Marines.
So what’s next for the Mistrals?
That isn't clear at the moment. If one thing is certain so far, it's that France will not deliver the ships until the Russians stop their activities within Ukrainian territory. The latest events suggest that the Mistrals may be a key factor in negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and UE. Both Russian and Western media outlets pointed out that Putin may treat the acquisition of Mistral as an important deal for the Russian Navy.
In the meanwhile, the ships' helicopters are ready
Read more: http://theaviationist.com/2014/12/08/no-mistrals-for-russia/#ixzz3LNuZP3aw
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