Russia to Supply Egypt with 15 Ka-52 Alligator Attack Helicopters
The Ka-52K helicopters, combined with the troop-landing capabilities of the BPC-210 Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, offer Egypt a new dimension of offensive and influence operations
Dr. Shaul Shay
| 27/08/2017
Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter (Photo: AP)
Russia is set to supply Egypt with 15 Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters by the end of this year. The delivery is part of a deal to provide Egypt with 46 Alligators, Andrey Boginsky, CEO of Moscow-based rotorcraft manufacturing company Russian Helicopters, told Russian state news agency Sputnik in August 2017. Boginsky said that the first three helicopters have already been delivered and in August 2017, the second batch of three Ka-52s will be delivered to Egypt. Boginsky added that Egyptian specialists are currently being trained to operate the helicopters.
In October 2015, Egypt signed a deal with France to buy two French-made BPC-210 Mistral Class amphibious assault ships (BPC/LHD) that were originally built for the Russian Navy. However, France froze the delivery of two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships to Russia in 2014 over Moscow’s stance on developments in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Francois Hollande agreed on terminating the contract on the delivery of the ships to Russia.
Egypt and Russia have been in negotiation since last year to supply communication equipment and helicopters for the two Mistrals Egypt bought from France in 2015. Chief Executive Officer of "Russian Helicopters," Alexander Mikheev, announced on December 30, 2015, that Russia would supply Egypt with 46 new Ka-52K Alligator Helicopters developed for the French-made Mistral-class ships. "Russian Helicopters" is the sole Russian rotorcraft designer and manufacturer and one of the few companies worldwide with the capability to design, manufacture, service, and test modern civilian and military helicopters.
Combat Experience of the Ka-52 in Syria
The Russian Defense Ministry praised Syrian paratroopers' first ever operation to free a populated area in ISIS' rear. On August 12, 2017, Syrian paratroopers were deployed behind Islamic States positions, 20 km away from the battlefront; the operation resulted in the liberation of the town of al-Hadar located on the border between Raqqa and Homs provinces. Russian military advisors took part in the preparation of the Syrian para-drop behind ISIS' defense lines, while Syrian commander, General Suhel Hassan headed the operation.
Russian Ka-52 combat helicopters conducted strikes in the area to help the Syrian army's campaign. "With the help of night vision systems, the renowned Ka-52 Alligators not only effectively directed and corrected the fire of multiple-launch rocket system but also destroyed terrorists' armored vehicles and armed cars," the ministry said.
The Ka-52 Alligator
Ka-52 Alligator is an all-weather attack helicopter operated by the Russian Air Force. Developed by Kamov Design Bureau (part of Russian Helicopters), Ka-52 is a twin-seat variant of the Ka-50 attack helicopter. The Ka-52 helicopter can destroy enemy armored and unarmored ground targets, low-speed aerial targets and personnel at the front line and in tactical depth. The Ka-52 can provide target acquisition and designation for helicopter teams and ground troop command and control centers. It can also provide fire support for troop landings, fly routine patrols and escort military convoys.
The first Ka-52 helicopter was rolled out in December 1996 and completed first flight in June 1997. The serial production of Ka-52 began in 2008 at Progress Arsenyev Aviation plant in the Primorye region of Russia.
The helicopter has a length of 16m, a height of 4.9m and a main rotor diameter of 14.5m. The maximum take-off weight of the Ka-52 is 10,800kg. The starboard side of the fuselage is fitted with a NPPU-80 movable gun mount installed with 2A42 30mm automatic gun. The six wing-mounted external hard points can be attached with different combinations of weapons.
The hard points can carry VIKHR anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), ATAKA missiles with laser guidance system and B8V-20 rocket launchers for 80mm unguided S-8 rockets. The VIKHR anti-tank missile has a range of eight to ten kilometers. The Ka-52s can also be armed with IGLA-V anti-aircraft guided missiles.
The Ka-52 helicopter is fitted with a mast-mounted random housing a Phazotron FH-01 Millimeter Wave Radar (MMW) radar with two antennas for aerial and ground targets. The countermeasures are supported by active IR and electronic jammers, radar warning receiver (RWR), laser detection system, IR missile approach warning sensor and UV-26 flare/chaff dispensers in wing-tip fairings.
The BPC-210 Mistral Class Amphibious Assault Ship (BPC/LHD)
The primary mission for these ships is amphibious landing operations. They also provide command and force projection capability. The Mistral class vessel uses four mechanized landing craft (LCM) or two hovercraft (LCAC) in the stern deck to deliver troops and vehicles ashore. It can carry a full tank battalion with up to 40 MBTs, or up to 70 lighter vehicles. The ship provides accommodation for 450 marines; however, the surge capacity is 900.
Mistral class LHD has six helicopter landing spots. Up to 16 medium (NH90, Tigre) or 35 light helicopters can be carried and stored in the hangar deck. It is worth mentioning that every helicopter, operated by the French military, can land on these ships. The ships are equipped with 69 hospital beds, and a hangar can also be converted into a modular field hospital. The Mistral class can be deployed as command and control vessels – while the command center can host up to 150 personnel. The vessel is armed with two Simbad launchers for Mistral surface-to-air missiles and two 30-mm Breda-Mauser guns.
Summary
Ties with the United States plummeted after Egypt's army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, with Washington freezing its annual $1.3 billion in military aid. Russia is one of the main non-Arab supporters of el-Sisi's government and was among the first countries to endorse el-Sisi's presidential bid in 2014. Egypt has learned its lessons and decided to reduce the overreliance on one provider (the United States), and diversifying the sources its armaments became a strategic priority. As a part of the new Egyptian policy, Russia and France became significant sources of arms supply.
The Ka-52 deal is a significant step in the fast-growing strategic alliance between Egypt and Russia. Egypt and Russia have never been that close since the era of late President Gamal Abdel Nasser, referring to the level of economic and military cooperation, which culminated in arms deals and naval maneuvers codenamed "Friendship Bridge 2015."
Mistral Class ships, designed for a large helicopter aviation role as well as amphibious landing and support of troops, would improve Egypt's capabilities in these areas. The Ka-52K helicopters, combined with the Mistral ships’ troop landing capabilities, offer Egypt a whole new dimension of offensive and influence operations.
Egypt has one of the biggest navies in the Middle East and the current arms deal will help Egypt to upgrade and modernize its fleet. Egypt’s navy is currently taking part in a Saudi-led Arab operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Egypt could use the two new Mistral Class ships to transport about 1,000 troops, armored vehicles and helicopters to intervene in theaters where Egypt and a joint Arab force might become involved. The addition of the Mistral ships and the new helicopters could provide also a counterbalance against increasing Iranian influence in the region.
The Ka-52K helicopters, combined with the troop-landing capabilities of the BPC-210 Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, offer Egypt a new dimension of offensive and influence operations
Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter (Photo: AP)
Russia is set to supply Egypt with 15 Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters by the end of this year. The delivery is part of a deal to provide Egypt with 46 Alligators, Andrey Boginsky, CEO of Moscow-based rotorcraft manufacturing company Russian Helicopters, told Russian state news agency Sputnik in August 2017. Boginsky said that the first three helicopters have already been delivered and in August 2017, the second batch of three Ka-52s will be delivered to Egypt. Boginsky added that Egyptian specialists are currently being trained to operate the helicopters.
In October 2015, Egypt signed a deal with France to buy two French-made BPC-210 Mistral Class amphibious assault ships (BPC/LHD) that were originally built for the Russian Navy. However, France froze the delivery of two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships to Russia in 2014 over Moscow’s stance on developments in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Francois Hollande agreed on terminating the contract on the delivery of the ships to Russia.
Egypt and Russia have been in negotiation since last year to supply communication equipment and helicopters for the two Mistrals Egypt bought from France in 2015. Chief Executive Officer of "Russian Helicopters," Alexander Mikheev, announced on December 30, 2015, that Russia would supply Egypt with 46 new Ka-52K Alligator Helicopters developed for the French-made Mistral-class ships. "Russian Helicopters" is the sole Russian rotorcraft designer and manufacturer and one of the few companies worldwide with the capability to design, manufacture, service, and test modern civilian and military helicopters.
Combat Experience of the Ka-52 in Syria
The Russian Defense Ministry praised Syrian paratroopers' first ever operation to free a populated area in ISIS' rear. On August 12, 2017, Syrian paratroopers were deployed behind Islamic States positions, 20 km away from the battlefront; the operation resulted in the liberation of the town of al-Hadar located on the border between Raqqa and Homs provinces. Russian military advisors took part in the preparation of the Syrian para-drop behind ISIS' defense lines, while Syrian commander, General Suhel Hassan headed the operation.
Russian Ka-52 combat helicopters conducted strikes in the area to help the Syrian army's campaign. "With the help of night vision systems, the renowned Ka-52 Alligators not only effectively directed and corrected the fire of multiple-launch rocket system but also destroyed terrorists' armored vehicles and armed cars," the ministry said.
The Ka-52 Alligator
Ka-52 Alligator is an all-weather attack helicopter operated by the Russian Air Force. Developed by Kamov Design Bureau (part of Russian Helicopters), Ka-52 is a twin-seat variant of the Ka-50 attack helicopter. The Ka-52 helicopter can destroy enemy armored and unarmored ground targets, low-speed aerial targets and personnel at the front line and in tactical depth. The Ka-52 can provide target acquisition and designation for helicopter teams and ground troop command and control centers. It can also provide fire support for troop landings, fly routine patrols and escort military convoys.
The first Ka-52 helicopter was rolled out in December 1996 and completed first flight in June 1997. The serial production of Ka-52 began in 2008 at Progress Arsenyev Aviation plant in the Primorye region of Russia.
The helicopter has a length of 16m, a height of 4.9m and a main rotor diameter of 14.5m. The maximum take-off weight of the Ka-52 is 10,800kg. The starboard side of the fuselage is fitted with a NPPU-80 movable gun mount installed with 2A42 30mm automatic gun. The six wing-mounted external hard points can be attached with different combinations of weapons.
The hard points can carry VIKHR anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), ATAKA missiles with laser guidance system and B8V-20 rocket launchers for 80mm unguided S-8 rockets. The VIKHR anti-tank missile has a range of eight to ten kilometers. The Ka-52s can also be armed with IGLA-V anti-aircraft guided missiles.
The Ka-52 helicopter is fitted with a mast-mounted random housing a Phazotron FH-01 Millimeter Wave Radar (MMW) radar with two antennas for aerial and ground targets. The countermeasures are supported by active IR and electronic jammers, radar warning receiver (RWR), laser detection system, IR missile approach warning sensor and UV-26 flare/chaff dispensers in wing-tip fairings.
The BPC-210 Mistral Class Amphibious Assault Ship (BPC/LHD)
The primary mission for these ships is amphibious landing operations. They also provide command and force projection capability. The Mistral class vessel uses four mechanized landing craft (LCM) or two hovercraft (LCAC) in the stern deck to deliver troops and vehicles ashore. It can carry a full tank battalion with up to 40 MBTs, or up to 70 lighter vehicles. The ship provides accommodation for 450 marines; however, the surge capacity is 900.
Mistral class LHD has six helicopter landing spots. Up to 16 medium (NH90, Tigre) or 35 light helicopters can be carried and stored in the hangar deck. It is worth mentioning that every helicopter, operated by the French military, can land on these ships. The ships are equipped with 69 hospital beds, and a hangar can also be converted into a modular field hospital. The Mistral class can be deployed as command and control vessels – while the command center can host up to 150 personnel. The vessel is armed with two Simbad launchers for Mistral surface-to-air missiles and two 30-mm Breda-Mauser guns.
Summary
Ties with the United States plummeted after Egypt's army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, with Washington freezing its annual $1.3 billion in military aid. Russia is one of the main non-Arab supporters of el-Sisi's government and was among the first countries to endorse el-Sisi's presidential bid in 2014. Egypt has learned its lessons and decided to reduce the overreliance on one provider (the United States), and diversifying the sources its armaments became a strategic priority. As a part of the new Egyptian policy, Russia and France became significant sources of arms supply.
The Ka-52 deal is a significant step in the fast-growing strategic alliance between Egypt and Russia. Egypt and Russia have never been that close since the era of late President Gamal Abdel Nasser, referring to the level of economic and military cooperation, which culminated in arms deals and naval maneuvers codenamed "Friendship Bridge 2015."
Mistral Class ships, designed for a large helicopter aviation role as well as amphibious landing and support of troops, would improve Egypt's capabilities in these areas. The Ka-52K helicopters, combined with the Mistral ships’ troop landing capabilities, offer Egypt a whole new dimension of offensive and influence operations.
Egypt has one of the biggest navies in the Middle East and the current arms deal will help Egypt to upgrade and modernize its fleet. Egypt’s navy is currently taking part in a Saudi-led Arab operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Egypt could use the two new Mistral Class ships to transport about 1,000 troops, armored vehicles and helicopters to intervene in theaters where Egypt and a joint Arab force might become involved. The addition of the Mistral ships and the new helicopters could provide also a counterbalance against increasing Iranian influence in the region.
