Russian naval aviation to receive more Su-30SM and Ka-27M helicopters in 2019.

The naval aviation of the Russian Navy will continue to receive multirole Su-30SM fighter jets and Ka-27M helicopters in 2019 as part of a program to renovate its fleet of aircraft and helicopters, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Su-30 (Picture source : Vitaly Kuzmin)

"Active modernization of the existing flying craft is one of the key areas of activities of the naval aviation command of the Russian Navy," Major General Igor Kozhin, the naval aviation commander said. According to him, R&D works were under way to develop new aircraft and helicopters as well as shock systems for the naval aviation of the Russian Navy. "They are our future," Kozhin stressed.

The main command of the Russian Navy is planning to adopt Be-200 amphibious rescue and fire-fighting aircraft and Be-12 anti-submarine amphibious aircraft for service with the naval aviation in a bid to raise its combat efficiency.

Naval aviation pilots flew more than 32,000 hours on new and upgraded aircraft in 2018.

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