In a strategic move to bolster defence ties and promote indigenous production, Russia has reintroduced the Ka-226T helicopter to India, now equipped with the domestically developed VK-650V engine. This proposal replaces the previously considered French Turbomeca Arrius 2G1 engine, addressing past concerns about production localisation and supply chain security.
The VK-650V engine, Russia’s inaugural helicopter engine in the 650-750 horsepower range, is designed for aircraft with a takeoff weight of up to 4 tons. It aims to supplant foreign-made engines in both the Ansat and Ka-226T helicopters, enhancing Russia’s self-sufficiency in helicopter technology and improving operational versatility.
This engine is anticipated to provide the Ka-226T with performance on par with or surpassing that of the French engine, ensuring the helicopter’s effectiveness in various missions such as transport, medical evacuation, and training.
This renewed offer builds upon the initial 2015 agreement between India and Russia, which outlined the joint production of 200 Ka-226T helicopters at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. The original contract specified that the first 40 helicopters would be manufactured in Russia and assembled in India, with the remaining 160 fully produced and assembled in Tumkur, Karnataka, focusing on maximising local content.
The updated proposal underscores a commitment to indigenous manufacturing, potentially revising the production split between Russia and India. Sources indicate that Rostec, Russia’s state corporation for high-tech industrial development, plans to showcase a model of the Ka-226T fitted with the VK-650V engine at Aero India 2025. This exhibition will offer India an opportunity to evaluate the new configuration’s capabilities and its potential impact on the nation’s defence infrastructure.
The development signifies a pivotal step in Russia-India defence collaboration, potentially reshaping India’s helicopter fleet and advancing the ‘Make in India’ initiative within the defence sector.
