Indian Web Resource IDRW.org in the Raunak Kunde article "Indian Navy's Kamov 28s Get a Makeover: Overhaul in Russia, Upgrade at Home" ("The Ka-28 helicopters of the Indian Navy will acquire a new look: they will undergo major repairs in Russia, modernization at home") It reports that the Indian Navy is implementing a program of serious modernization of its fleet of Ka-28 naval anti-submarine helicopters, while all ten vehicles of this type of various modifications have already been sent to Russia for major repairs. This program, designated KV 28 MLU (Mid-Life Update), will significantly expand the capabilities of these critical fleet combat assets.
Indian Navy Ka-28 Anti-submarine helicopter (Indian tail number IN 582, serial number 5235001620207, serial number 014-05) (c) US Navy
The first two Ka-28s that underwent major repairs were transferred to the Indian Navy in July 2023 and are currently undergoing modernization at the naval aviation base in Degas (INS Dega). It is expected that these first two upgraded helicopters will be accepted by the fleet in June 2024, and the program will be fully completed by the end of 2025.
This Mid-Life Modernization (MLU) program will breathe new life into the Indian Navy's Ka-28 helicopter fleet, ensuring that these machines remain in demand and efficient in the years to come. The upgraded helicopters will play a crucial role in solving various tasks, including anti-submarine warfare, patrolling airspace over marine areas and search and rescue operations, which will further strengthen India's maritime security.
A two-pronged approach
The KV 28 MLU program is divided into two separate stages:
The first stage is major repairs in Russia: currently, helicopters are undergoing major repairs at Russian enterprises, which will ensure the durability and prolongation of their design life for many years.
The second stage is modernization at the Degas Air Base in Visakhapatnam: after major repairs, the helicopters will be delivered to India and will be upgraded at the specialized production facilities of the Degas Naval Aviation Base in Visakhapatnam; at this stage, Ka-28 helicopters will receive an ultramodern onboard complex of electronic equipment and weapons, which will significantly expand their capabilities.
Transformation of the helicopter fleet
As a result of the modernization program, the Ka-28 naval anti-submarine helicopters will significantly increase their capabilities, including:
- in terms of means of illumination of the situation: improved airborne radar and sonar stations will enhance the capabilities of helicopters to collect data on the situation and detect targets, especially in difficult meteorological and hydrological conditions.
- in terms of an automated sighting and search system and the composition of weapons: the integration of a new automated sighting and search system and new models of on-board weapons will expand the range of tasks solved by helicopters for their intended purpose, making them a more versatile and effective combat means of the fleet.
On the part of bmpd, it should be recalled that on July 29, 2016, the Indian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Rosoboronexport JSC for the repair and modernization of 10 Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters of the Indian Navy under the specified two-stage scheme for a total amount of about $ 300 million. The overhaul of helicopters under this contract is carried out by the Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise (KumAPP) of the Russian Helicopters holding.
The Indian Navy received 19 new Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters (an export version of the Ka-27PL helicopter) produced by the Kumertau Aviation Manufacturing Enterprise in 1986-1991.
