Dubai Airshow 2019: Russia and India to sign Ka-226T contract within six months.

A contract for the delivery and the local production of Kamov Ka-226T (NATO reporting name: Hoodlum) helicopters will be signed between Russia and India within the next six months, Head of Russia’s Rosoboronexport state arms seller Alexander Mikheyev said.

Kamov Ka-226T at the MAKS 2009 (Picture source: Нирваньчик - Нирваньчик)

Mikheyev made this statement at the Dubai Airshow 2019.

"A joint venture has been set up. The helicopter’s conceptual design is being specified on the basis of the requirements set by India’s Defense Ministry. We hope to complete the project and sign the contract within the next six months," Mikheyev said.

According to him, "work on the helicopter has already begun" and the terms are being formed based on the procedures adopted by the Indian Defense Ministry.

In 2015, Russia signed an intergovernmental agreement with India to deliver Ka-226T light helicopters and launch their local production on the Indian territory.

Under the agreement, Russia will deliver 60 rotorcraft of the type and India will produce 50-70 percent of the components for another 140 Ka-226T helicopters on its territory.

Moscow also offered New Delhi an option to manufacture the naval version of the Ka-226T helicopter in India.

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