Russian Navy to receive Be-200 SAR aircraft by 2019 end.

The Russian Navy will receive the Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft intended for rescue operations by the end of 2019, the chief of the Russian Naval Aviation, the air arm of the Russian Navy, said on Monday.

A Be-200ChS amphibious aircraft
(Credit: Beriev)

In an interview with the Russian military official newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda, Igor Kozhin said that during the second stage of the Russian Navy's aircraft modernization (2021-2030), the Naval Aviation should receive aerial picket aircraft, naval drones and a perspective aviation complex of sea-based aviation.

Amphibious helicopters for search and rescue operations will be created for the Russian Navy in 2031-2050, when the third stage of the Russian Navy's aircraft modernization will be underway, added Kozhin.

The Be-200ChS amphibious has been heavily upgraded during its productionizing, based on its operational record and in line with extra requirements by the customers. Its avionics suite has been updated, its airframe design has been modified and Russian-made systems have been substituted for some of the imported ones.

The Be-200ChS has proven itself on rescue operations in Europe, Indonesia and Israel. The aircraft features good exportability, and foreign customers are keen on it. In 2016, memoranda of understanding were signed for the amphibious’s delivery to Thailand, China, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Vietnam. Talks are underway with several Asia-Pacific and EU nations, and the United States has displayed interest in the Russian amphibious.