The Russian military has used the Ka-52 attack helicopter to good effect in Ukraine.
Last week, the Russian military likely lost its 65th Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter.
The helicopter was destroyed in a non-combat-related accident, killing both pilots, according to a Russian source. While visual evidence is pending, the likely loss of another Ka-52 Alligator highlights the heavy aircraft losses the Russian military has suffered in the fighting in Ukraine.
The Ka-52 Alligator Down
According to reports among pro-Russian social media channels, the Russian military lost a Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter in a non-combat-related accident last week.
However, according to the Oryx open-source intelligence website, the Russian military has lost 64 Ka-52s of all variants in the fighting. Oryx only counts a casualty if there is audiovisual evidence to support the claim. Visual evidence of recent loss is pending, and thus, Oryx has not updated the total losses to 65 aircraft.
The total cost of the lost helicopters amounts to approximately $1 billion.
The Russian military has used the attack helicopter to good effect in the fighting. For example, during the large-scale Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer of 2023, the Russian military used attack helicopters to blunt the Ukrainian offensives in southern Ukraine. At the time, Western intelligence sources singled out the Ka-52 as “one of the single most influential Russian weapon systems in the sector.” The Russian military even deployed a small number of the brand-new “M” version of the attack helicopter in the sector.
The Russian Alligator
The Ka-52 is a twin-seat, all-weather attack helicopter designed to conduct armed reconnaissance, target designation, and close air support. The helicopter is an upgrade to the Ka-50 Black Shark.
The Ka-52 sports six hardpoints that can carry up to 5,000 lbs of munitions, including anti-tank and anti-personnel rockets. One of the most effective anti-tank munitions that the Ka-52 can take is the Kh-39 LMUR, which has a range of about 8 miles. The aircraft also sports a Shipunov 2A42 30mm autocannon and carries about 460 rounds. It can reach a maximum speed of around 220 miles per hour in a dive and 193 miles per hour in level flying.
The latest version of the Ka-52 is the “M.” Today, a limited number of Ka-52Ms are operating in Ukraine. The Russian military announced the “M” version in 2018 and signed the contract for the first 30 helicopters in 2021. Then, in January 2023, the Russian military received its first 10 Ka-52M attack helicopters. Since then, Kamov, the manufacturer of the attack chopper, has been delivering small batches of helicopters to the Russian forces. The Russian military’s combat experience in Syria influenced the design and development of the “M” version. The “M” version also has a modernized GOES-451M electro-optical targeting turret, increased range, better night-flying capabilities, and a more robust chassis.
The Russian military has been using its Ka-52 helicopters to attack targets of opportunity close to the frontlines. However, that can be a costly endeavor due to the prevalence of anti-aircraft systems on the ground. The shoulder-fired FIM-92 Stinger has been particularly deadly against Russian helicopters. The Ukrainians have even used M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) against Ka-52s.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
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