How Russia's New VK-650V Engine Could Revive India's 200 Ka-226T Helicopter Procurement Plans

The successful testing of Russia's indigenously developed VK-650V turboshaft engine has breathed new life into the stalled negotiations for the Ka-226T helicopter program in India.

The primary hurdle in the past was the inability to meet India's 70% localization requirement, largely due to the French Safran engine previously slated for the Ka-226T. The VK-650V, with its 650-750 horsepower output, offers a domestically produced alternative, potentially paving the way for a revival of the deal.

This development is particularly significant considering the urgent need for India's armed forces to replace their aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.

The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program, intended to address this need, initially envisioned procuring 400 helicopters, split between the Ka-226T and the indigenously developed LUH. The VK-650V could remove a major obstacle for the Ka-226T's inclusion in this program.

Furthermore, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has expressed its readiness to commence work on both the LUH and Ka-226T programs as soon as it gets the green light. Officials have also dismissed any notion of conflict between Russia and India concerning the Ka-226T joint production.

While both the LUH and Ka-226T fall under the light helicopter category, their distinct operational capabilities complement each other. The Ka-226T's twin-engine configuration enhances safety, especially in high-altitude operations, making it a valuable addition alongside the single-engine LUH.

The successful integration of the VK-650V into the Ka-226T could therefore not only revive the 200-helicopter deal but also contribute to a more robust and versatile helicopter fleet for India's defense forces.

 

[prtskrg]

Then make a twin engine variant of LUH rather than buying foreign equipment. For the moment induct the single engine one.

 

[GMR]

Foreign OEMs are able to offer, re-offer, re-re-offer only because we are too ...... to take decissions, move files & realise that platforms were required yesterday... acquiring junks, upgrading relic platforms, operating Mughul era platforms has become norm for IA & IAF.

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

Then make a twin engine variant of LUH rather than buying foreign equipment. For the moment induct the single engine one.

That is ALH. ALH is 6ton helicopter whereas LUH is 3ton. Ka226T is 3ton, similar to LUH. So, there is a big difference. As for imports, that is the whole point of indigenisation. India wants engines to be made in India and if Russian engines are allowed to be made in India, then it will be indigenous.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

That is ALH. ALH is 6ton helicopter whereas LUH is 3ton. Ka226T is 3ton, similar to LUH. So, there is a big difference. As for imports, that is the whole point of indigenisation. India wants engines to be made in India and if Russian engines are allowed to be made in India, then it will be indigenous.

Nobody is talking about ALH here

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Pointless to discuss this. India is not going to buy large russian equipment again. India has made 0 new orders since 2022, when russia launched its invasion. And we have seen that russia has faced great difficulty in fulfilling existing orders since then.

 

[Pramkumar]

Better go with LUH and develop the twin engine version of LUH also instead of going imported one

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

Nobody is talking about ALH here

Read the comment to which I replied. It clearly said "twin engine variant" of LUH. Since India does not have any engine plan for 650kW engines and the only engines India is developing are 1200kW HTSE1200, the only twin engine variant can be made with 2x HTSE1200 engines which will be ALH variant.

 

[NSR]

USA and west announced strictest SWIFT sanctions and made Russia to go into panic mode.
It would be very difficult to pay for Ka-226T programs in the present circumstances.

But twin-engine Ka-226T would offer great safety features though.
India must start developing twin-engine MUH as soon as possible using Shakti or new and more powerful Shakti derivative.

Just remember what is happening with Russian arms purchases and local productions like even simpler AK-203s.
Russia is no longer a reliable partner, much more so after latest international developments.
Russia is practically a client state of criminal chinese ccp.

 

[Kira]

LUH is ready for serial production,and Kamov copter will inevitably face serious availability issues due to sanctions,this deal is simply a non starter today.

 

[Sandeep]

The whole point of having a single engine helicopter is to keep the weight of the helicopter light and keep the operating costs in fuel and maintenance very low. If we wanted a twin engine helicopter for additional safety then we should just order more Dhruv helicopters which meet the requirements of a twin engine helicopter. So we need to focus on developing the LUH and to start production as soon as possible by increasing the number of production lines to meet the huge demand of around 400 helicopters and more. At the same time we need to at least increase the amount of indigenous content to above 90% at minimum but ideally at 100%.

As for the Russian helicopter India should not order it as we won’t become self reliant by ordering foreign expensive helicopters. Despite having a high amount of 70% of indigenous content we will still be reliant on foreign expensive imports, parts and equipment. The rest of the 30% of Russian content will be the most important and critical parts and technology which without that the helicopter wouldn’t fly or operate without constant Russian support so we shouldn’t buy their helicopters at all.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

That is ALH. ALH is 6ton helicopter whereas LUH is 3ton. Ka226T is 3ton, similar to LUH. So, there is a big difference. As for imports, that is the whole point of indigenisation. India wants engines to be made in India and if Russian engines are allowed to be made in India, then it will be indigenous.

HAL is totally quiet on HTSE 1200 development!!

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

HAL is totally quiet on HTSE 1200 development!!

Yeah, we don't get any updates in defence developments. Everything is being kept in wraps, be it Akash NG, BMD development, semiconductor development, uranium production, 110kN engines etc. Even evasive tactics like saying foreign JV for 110kN engines is being used to avoid questions on the project! If there was indeed even a JV intent, there would have been an attempt in the last 8 years as this noise for 110kN engine is being done from 2016. Also, going by the fact that there is no engine in the world having 110kN power, there is no chance of a JV either. India is simply maintaining strict silence on defence technology nowadays.

 

[Sparkle Studio]

Clearly, its too little too late for Ka226T to be inducted. LUH has been selected / ordered and IAF should stick with it.

 

[Pad UwU]

Wow this opportunity and offer is too tempting.... It'll be much better if both sides establish a JV partnership like this instead, like what BrahMos JV did... It's a win win solution for both sides

 

[Sudha]

Yeah, we don't get any updates in defence developments. Everything is being kept in wraps, be it Akash NG, BMD development, semiconductor development, uranium production, 110kN engines etc. Even evasive tactics like saying foreign JV for 110kN engines is being used to avoid questions on the project! If there was indeed even a JV intent, there would have been an attempt in the last 8 years as this noise for 110kN engine is being done from 2016. Also, going by the fact that there is no engine in the world having 110kN power, there is no chance of a JV either. India is simply maintaining strict silence on defence technology nowadays.

Yeah it is better for GOI to be more transperant isn't it? Then china will not need spies anymore for GOI & MOD will publish eveything. This is India everything moves at a snail's pace here. Don't attribute it is due to keeping everything under wraps. By looking at HAL's delayed delivery history you should have understood it.

 

[Shrujanam Syama]

Yeah it is better for GOI to be more transperant isn't it? Then china will not need spies anymore for GOI & MOD will publish eveything. This is India everything moves at a snail's pace here. Don't attribute it is due to keeping everything under wraps. By looking at HAL's delayed delivery history you should have understood it.

Tech development is done by DRDO, not HAL. HAL or any PSU like BEL etc collaborate with DRDO. DRDO is the nodal agency for all tech as a matter of principle so that in case of war and HAL or any PSU facility is destroyed, DRDO has the blueprints to rebuild new tools and machines as per specifications.

 

[wallisk]

Might be improved Shakthi engines could be used for Ka222T??

 

[wallisk]

Clearly, its too little too late for Ka226T to be inducted. LUH has been selected / ordered and IAF should stick with it.

LUH is single engines cannot be used by Navy. ONLY Naval choppers needs to be selected...

 

[Pink Panther]

Then make a twin engine variant of LUH rather than buying foreign equipment. For the moment induct the single engine one.

It will take a minimum 10 years for that and is a waste of time, KA-226 has it’s own use in high altitude areas especially near LAC and LOC due to it’s coaxial rotors and high lift, it is best helicopter for transporting and MEDVAC compared to LUH.