HAL To License-Build 147 Ka-226T 'Hoodlum' Light Multirole Helicopters - 50 To Be Sourced Directly

[Chanakya's_Chant]

HAL 'to licence-build Ka-226' for army, air force​

Sources in Delhi have said HAL is likely to form a joint venture with Russian Helicopters to licence-build 200 Kamov Ka-226T 'Hoodlum' light multirole helicopters. Source: Russian Helicopters​

Key Points

• Sources in Delhi have said HAL is likely to form a JV with Russian Helicopters to licence-build 200 Kamov Ka-226T multirole helicopters
• The proposed JV would lead to the scrapping of an anticipated RSH tender, which is currently in the RfI stage

India's state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is likely to form a joint venture (JV) with Russian Helicopters to licence-build 200 Kamov Ka-226T 'Hoodlum' light multirole helicopters for the Indian military for an estimated USD700 million, official sources said.

They said HAL was in advanced talks with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to establish the JV to manufacture the twin-engine Ka-226Ts in Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's home state of Goa.

India aims to employ the Ka-226T, a variant of which is in service only with the Russian Air Force, for armed reconnaissance, forward air control, directing artillery fire, inserting troops for special missions, and for casualty evacuation.

These talks followed a feasibility report that HAL presented to the MoD soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin offered the Ka-226T to India during his December 2014 visit to New Delhi.

The MoD approved the Ka-226T programme on 13 May as a replacement for the obsolete Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III) and Cheetah (Aerospatiale SA-315B), which is being operated by the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Official sources said the direct import of a "limited number" of Ka-226Ts - possibly around 50 - was almost certain to meet the IAF's and AAC's immediate requirements once the deal was inked under an Inter Governmental Agreement. HAL anticipates an annual production rate of 30 to 40 Ka-226Ts, with indigenous content rising to 30% three to four years after manufacture begins.

Officials said another aspect that prompted the MoD's decision to opt for the Ka-226T was its Turbomecca Arrius 2G1 engine, which is manufactured by France's Safran, with whom HAL has a long-standing technical collaboration.

The two have jointly developed the Shakti derivatives of Turbomecca's TM333-2B engine. These power the locally developed Dhruv and the Light Combat Helicopter and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) that are currently under development.

Industry sources said the involvement of Sun Group, a private sector company based on the outskirts of Delhi, in the Ka-226T project is also under consideration, as it has links with Russian Helicopters.

The Ka-226T, along with Eurocopter's AS550 Fennec platform, competed for the MoD's 2009 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) tender for 197 platforms. This tender was scrapped - for the second time - in August 2014 following allegations of wrongdoing in the selection process.

Meanwhile, HAL sources said that despite the possible Ka-226T JV, it would abandon its LUH project, which has been under development since 2009. The 3.1-tonne, single-engine LUH is expected to make its maiden test flight in September in anticipation of a MoD contract for 187 helicopters.

However, the anticipated programme for an Indian company-led JV to locally build nearly 400 platforms under the RSH requirement is almost certain to be scrapped, officials said.

Source:- HAL 'to licence-build Ka-226' for army, air force - IHS Jane's 360

DAC MoD had cleared the purchase of 197 Kamov Ka-226T Sergei Helicopters - With this the IAF and IA requirement for LUHs (384 RSH Helicopters) will be fulfilled by 197 Kamov Ka-226T Sergei (147 License-Built + 50 Directly Imported) + 187 HAL Light Utility Helicopters (LUH's).

 

[Abingdonboy]

Meanwhile, HAL sources said that despite the possible Ka-226T JV, it would abandon its LUH project, which has been under development since 2009. The 3.1-tonne, single-engine LUH is expected to make its maiden test flight in September in anticipation of a MoD contract for 187 helicopters.

This surely should read "it would NOT abandon its LUH project...."

 

[The Great One (Mod ver)]

This looks like a waste. Why buy a completely new videshi maal when a domestic one is finally in sight. As a stop-gap, we can induct more of ALH or even the Cheetals which were only recently upgraded.
ALH may be inappropriate for some of the roles expected of a smaller helo but then its still better than giving more money to foreigners.

 

[Bornubus]

Good news now kick those antique Chetaks

 

[Abingdonboy]

This looks like a waste. Why buy a completely new videshi maal when a domestic one is finally in sight. As a stop-gap, we can induct more of ALH or even the Cheetals which were only recently upgraded.
ALH may be inappropriate for some of the roles expected of a smaller helo but then its still better than giving more money to foreigners.

For the following reasons everything you have said is moot:

1) The HAL LUH is yet to even undertake its first flight, it cannot be certain when it will enter service, every delay incurred in the flight test program is more risk the IAF and IA crews face with their 30-40 years old vintage cr@p.
2) Tha ALH is NOT a suitable substitute for the LUH- it is too large to operate from many forward HLZs and operating from them is frankly dangerous.
3) HAL is in no position to manufacture anymore Cheetals considering the rotor blades are out of production, ALREADY the IAF and IA are cutting into their force levels by cannibalising their present fleet for spares.

 

[The Great One (Mod ver)]

1) The HAL LUH is yet to even undertake its first flight, it cannot be certain when it will enter service, every delay incurred in the flight test program is more risk the IAF and IA crews face with their 30-40 years old vintage cr@p.

Assuming a best-case scenario for HAL (which we should, as it is Parikar and Modi Ji in charge), it should take HAL about 5 years for development-testing-certification. How soon, do you think we will get the Kamov helicopters even if the deal were signed today?

2) Tha ALH is NOT a suitable substitute for the LUH

for operations in a very special case, as claimed by you. The rest?

Also, coming to that myth
The great helicopter challenge: (Part 1 of a three-part series on India's new thrust in helicopter building)

As the shuddering helicopter bears down on the tiny helipad atop a needle of ice at 20,997 feet(= 6400 meters), the rotor blades struggle to extract lift from the rarefied air. This is the ultimate test for helicopters. But the army’s new Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) has proved that it can land at Sonam, bringing in much larger payloads than the Cheetah helicopters that have laboriously sustained the jawans in Sonam for the last two decades.

In Siachen, Dhruv proves a world-beater

It was a brutal test of helicopter and pilot. As the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) shuddered towards the icy helipad on a 21,000-foot ledge overlooking the Siachen Glacier, the pilots could see wreckage from earlier helicopter crashes dotting the base of the vertical ice walls on either side. Ahead lay the Indian Army’s infamous Sonam Post, the highest inhabited spot on earth

I cant post links, so please google.

3) HAL is in no position to manufacture anymore Cheetals considering the rotor blades are out of production, ALREADY the IAF and IA are cutting into their force levels by cannibalising their present fleet for spares.

This is something I didn't know. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[punit]

This looks like a waste. Why buy a completely new videshi maal when a domestic one is finally in sight. As a stop-gap, we can induct more of ALH or even the Cheetals which were only recently upgraded.
ALH may be inappropriate for some of the roles expected of a smaller helo but then its still better than giving more money to foreigners.

HAL-LUH is yet to fly ( in development since 2009 phew) .. it will take at least 10 years to get ready to be inducted.

 

[The Great One (Mod ver)]

ALH is yet to fly ( in development since 2009 phew) .. it will take at least 10 years to get ready to be inducted.

Its magic, its magic

 

[punit]

Its magic, its magic

typo! i meant HAL-LUH

 

[The Great One (Mod ver)]

yeah, I know bro.

typo! i meant HAL-LUH

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

In Siachen, Dhruv proves a world-beater

Actually, ALH Dhruv was never deigned to used in such high altitudes - The ambitious requirements given in the ASR and NSR were for a common base platform capable of performing a sweeping range of roles at altitudes ranging from sea level to 6 km (19,500 ft) Pressure Altitude, at high temperatures. The roles for the Army-IAF variants included a contentious requirement for a high altitude landing at 6 km Pressure Altitude with payload of 200 kg plus a large fuel load.

Though ALH Mk-III with upgraded Shakti engines has exceptional high altitude performance. It exceeds the original ASR high-altitude payload-cum-landing requirement at 6 km altitude at high temperatures and is perhaps the only helicopter in existence worldwide in this AUW class category that can fulfil the requirement. Dhruv Mk.3 even flew to an altitude of 27,500 feet (8,400 m) ASL in Siachen. Mk-I and Mk-II aren't that capable.

The problem is as already mentioned - it's too large to operate from many forward HLZ's which are too close to adversary posts - as close as just 3000 meters and can be targeted.

This is how a stranded chopper was brought back from under the nose of the enemy - a testimony to how dangerous it is operate from forward HLZ's.

Review of Nitin A Gokhale's book, Beyond NJ9842: The Siachen Saga - Life and style

All you need to know about the Ka-226T Multi-Mission Helicopter

The Ka-226T is a light, twin-engine multi-role helicopter offered by Russian Helicopters, for military and civilian missions. The military version of Ka-226T is designed for operation in hard-to-reach upland conditions as well as hot and cold climates.​

The Ka-226T is a light, twin-engine multi-role helicopter offered by Russian Helicopters, for military and civilian missions. The military version of Ka-226T is designed for operation in hard-to-reach upland conditions as well as hot and cold climates.

The Ka-226T is produced by Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, a part of Russian Helicopters, and is currently in service with the Russian Air Force. It performs surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue (SAR), targeting, and transportation of cargo and troops.

Approval of the acquisition of Ka-226T was given by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in May 2015 to replace the ageing Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III) and Cheetah (Aerospatiale SA-315B) helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), respectively. A joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian Helicopters is expected to licence-build 200 Ka-226T helicopters for the IAF and the AAC.

The Ka-226T underwent testing in India as part of the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) acquisition programme, which was cancelled by the Indian authorities in 2014. The helicopter out-performed its Western counterparts during flights in India's hot conditions and mountainous areas. The Ka-226T was demonstrated at Aero India 2015 exhibition held in Bangalore, India.

Design and features of the multi-mission helicopter ::

An upgraded design of the proven Ka-26 helicopter, the Ka-226T is fitted with a high-visibility nose, a new cabin design and a new rotor system. Its fuselage integrates a four-leg non-retractable landing gear.

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.

The rotorcraft integrates a new avionics suite with multifunctional displays (MFDs), automatic control system, navigation system and radar. It can be fitted with hoist system, cargo hook, searchlight and additional external fuel tank. It can also be configured with a medical module for search and rescue missions. The module can be quickly installed or removed by just two people.

Fuselage of the Ka-226T has a length of 8.6m, whilst its width is 3.2 and it has a height of 4.1m. The diameter of its main rotor is 13.2m.

Cabin and Cargo Capacities ::

The cabin measures 2.35m-long, 1.34m-wide and 1.4m-high. It offers a volume of 5.4m3 and is fitted with mooring equipment for securing cargo and folding seats for accommodating troops.

A total of 1,200kg of cargo can be transported by the helicopter inside the cabin and it can carry 1,500kg load on external sling. The maximum take-off weight with under-slung load is 3,800kg.

Engines and performance ::

Power for the Ka-226T comes from two Turbomeca Arrius 2G1 engines. Each engine develops a take-off power of 705hp and contingency power of 580hp. The rotorcraft is equipped with engine fire protection system and fire warning system.

The helicopter can fly at a maximum speed of 250km/h and cruise speed of 220km/h. It has a maximum flight range of 600km with main fuel tanks. The operational and hover (OGE) ceilings of the helicopter are 5,700m and 4,100m respectively and the maximum rate of climb is 10m/s.

Source:- Defence News - All you need to know about the Ka-226T Multi-Mission Helicopter

 

[Skull and Bones]

I thought LUH is very near to it's first flight.

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

I thought LUH is very near to it's first flight.

The first LUH prototype will fly in August, officially kickstarting flight test. HAL aims for final operational clearance in 2017, and begin deliveries to the Indian Army and IAF by the end of that year.

 

[GURU DUTT]

​

Cabin and Cargo Capacities ::

The cabin measures 2.35m-long, 1.34m-wide and 1.4m-high. It offers a volume of 5.4m3 and is fitted with mooring equipment for securing cargo and folding seats for accommodating troops.

A total of 1,200kg of cargo can be transported by the helicopter inside the cabin and it can carry 1,500kg load on external sling. The maximum take-off weight with under-slung load is 3,800kg.

Source:- Defence News - All you need to know about the Ka-226T Multi-Mission Helicopter

so it can easyli transport a M777 gun (3450Kgs) to forward positions on higher reaches of himalyas now thats interesting

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

so it can easyli transport a M777 gun (3450Kgs) to forward positions on higher reaches of himalyas now thats interesting

No!
It is difficult for even the Mi17 V5 to lift it at those heights!
The Ka226T itself weights as much as the gun (MTOW<3500T)