Russia is preparing to make a renewed effort to finalize the long-pending deal for the Ka-226T utility helicopters, with discussions expected to be a key agenda item during President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi this December.
To overcome previous roadblocks, Moscow is now offering the helicopter with its new, indigenously developed VK-650V engine and a comprehensive plan for technology transfer, aiming to restart the stalled joint production programme.
This initiative seeks to address India's urgent need to replace its aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak light helicopters, which are critical for high-altitude operations.
The foundation for this defence partnership was laid in 2015 with an Inter-Governmental Agreement to produce 200 Ka-226T helicopters.
The $1 billion deal involved a joint venture, Indo-Russian Helicopters Limited (IRHL), between India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian defence firms.
The plan was to procure 60 helicopters in fly-away condition from Russia, with the remaining 140 to be manufactured at HAL's facility in Tumkur, Karnataka, as part of the 'Make in India' initiative.
The Ka-226T was selected for its unique coaxial rotor design, which enhances maneuverability in the challenging mountainous terrain of the Himalayas.
However, the project came to a halt in 2022 due to several critical issues.
The primary obstacle was the unavailability of the French-made Safran Arrius 2G1 engines, which were originally slated to power the helicopters. European Union sanctions against Russia disrupted the supply chain, making the French engines inaccessible.
Simultaneously, negotiations faltered over the extent of technology transfer and indigenous content, alongside India's concurrent push to develop its own Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) by HAL.
Despite progress on the indigenous LUH, the vast operational requirement of over 400 new helicopters for the Indian Army and Air Force has kept the Russian offer a viable option.
In response to the engine problem, Russia's United Engine Corporation (UEC) developed the VK-650V turboshaft engine. After undergoing extensive testing and receiving certification in early 2025, this new powerplant is now being presented as a superior alternative.
Russian officials state the VK-650V, which delivers between 650 and 750 horsepower, is specifically optimized for hot-and-high environments, a crucial performance parameter for India's northern borders.
Its modern Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system also promises greater fuel efficiency and reliability compared to the previous engine choice.
A key part of Russia's renewed proposal involves the local assembly and eventual manufacturing of the VK-650V engine in India. This move directly addresses India's long-standing demand for meaningful technology transfer and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Officials have pointed to the successful precedent of HAL's licensed production of the AL-31FP engines for India's Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet as a proven model for this new engine collaboration. This offer is designed to resolve past disagreements that had stalled the helicopter deal.
The Ka-226T itself remains an attractive platform for India due to its modular design, which allows the cabin to be quickly adapted for various roles, including troop transport, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, and disaster relief.
Its distinctive coaxial main rotors eliminate the need for a tail rotor, making the helicopter more compact, stable in windy conditions, and safer to operate in confined spaces like narrow mountain valleys.
Russia plans to prominently display a model of the Ka-226T equipped with the new VK-650V engine at the upcoming Aero India 2025 exhibition in Bengaluru, signaling its serious intent to bring this vital defence deal to a successful conclusion.
