Update: ADEX 2019: Russia offers Ka-32 upgrades for Korea

Rostec State Corporation has offered to upgrade South Korea’s fleet of Kamov Ka-32 ‘Helix’ multirole medium rotorcraft, Russian Helicopters reported on 14 October.

The Republic of Korea Air Force is one of a number of state and commercial operators of the Ka-32 helicopter in South Korea. Russia is offering an upgrade package for the country’s wider fleet. (IHS Markit/Gareth Jennings)

Announced at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (ADEX), the offer would see the avionics, engines, and a firefighting system of the co-axial helicopters modernised.

Specifically, the aircraft used by the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) and other state agencies would be equipped with a new ‘glass’ cockpit, more powerful VK-2500PS-02 engines, and a new firefighting system. The work would be carried out in conjunction with South Korean company RH Focus Corp, with the upgraded version of the Ka-32 being designated Ka-32A11M.

“We have co-operated with [RH Focus Corp] in the sphere of after-sales service, and both our firms have benefited from this. There was a good reason why the upgraded Ka-32 helicopter has been selected for our joint exposition: a fleet of these rotorcrafts in Korea is fairly large, and they have proved their efficiency in terms of transporting cargo, search-and-rescue operations, and firefighting,” said Director General of Russian Helicopters Holding Company Andrey Boginsky.

As noted by Russian Helicopters, the avionics of the Ka-32A11M helicopter have already been tested on the Ansat, Mi-38, and Ka-62 civil multipurpose helicopters. The new SP-32 firefighting water tank made in Russia is cheaper than comparable solutions offered elsewhere, the company said, and it has a generous 4-tonne carrying capacity, as well as digital control and upgraded water intake and discharge ergonomics. In addition, it can be operated at sub-zero temperatures.