Sanctions and resource constraints may delay the PAK AA’s deployment, with the helicopter not expected to become operational until around 2030.
The Ukraine War is forcing all manner of adaptations from both combatants in the war. One such adaptation is that the Russians want a new fast-attack helicopter that will incorporate the hard lessons learned thus far in the Ukraine War. Russia’s PAK AA—Perspektivnyy Aviatsionnyy Kompleks Armeyskoy Aviatsii, or “Future Air Complex of Army Aviation”—has emerged as a pivotal high-speed helicopter development program. Launched amid evolving battlefield demands, this next-generation combat helicopter aims to redefine Russian Army aviation with unprecedented speed, range, and lethality.
What to Know About Russia’s Proposed “PAK AA” Helicopter
The PAK AA’s inception predates the Ukraine War, of course. Back in the 2010s, Moscow began to inquire about replacing its aging crop of Soviet era fast-attack helicopters. In fact, Russian helicopter makers such as Mil and Kamov began to design several new experimental helicopters on paper. Mil even took Mi-24 “Hind” helicopters and modified them for experimental flights in 2015; the new helicopters achieved up to 252 miles per hour, setting the stage for advanced concepts.
In 2017, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov announced a maiden flight target by 2025 for a purpose-built fast-attack helicopter—emphasizing high-speed capabilities exceeding 450 kilometers per hour (280 mph). The program gained momentum in 2024-2025, as the Ukraine War reached bloody levels for both sides. Phazotron-NIIR revealed radar development plans for the platform in its annual report that year, too.
The PAK AA addresses vulnerabilities in current fleets, like the Ka-52 and Mi-28N, which suffer from limited speed (around 186 mph) and range (112 mile combat radius). Russian helicopters under Rostec integrated lessons from reduced helicopter losses in the war as a result of tactical shifts, prioritizing enhanced survivability against air defenses. Conceptual designs draw from Mil’s Mi-X1—achieving 323 mph with a pusher propeller—and Kamov’s Ka-92, using coaxial rotors with a top speed of 286 mph—though neither has actually flown yet.
This new helicopter development program, the PAK AA, parallels other “PAK” initiatives, such as the PAK-FA (Su-57 fighter) and ongoing PAK DA bomber development program. The craft is engineered for speeds over 400-500 km/h, transforming it from traditional rotorcraft into a high-speed combat platform. The helicopter is to be powered by a Klimov VK-2500 turboshaft powerplant, a significant upgrade over Russia’s existing helicopter engines. For weapons, it is slated to be equipped with Russia’s fearsome Kh-39 LMUR missiles, as well as other precision-guided munitions. The helicopter’s design emphasizes extended range for deep strikes, drone hunting, and support roles—addressing lessons from the Ukraine War, where unguided long-range rockets proved inaccurate against fortified positions. Potential configurations include coaxial or single-rotor setups with pusher props, boosting cruising speeds to 500 km/h while maintaining armor and firepower.
Will the Russian Helicopter Ever Leave the Drawing Board?
Many Russian weapons systems—particuarly those not directly relevant to the ongoing war in Ukraine—have been put on ice amid budget constraints since 2022. However, given the PAK AA’s mission set, development is expected to continue. Though few details of the program have been made public, it is known that PAK AA prototypes are under development, with full-scale testing likely to begin later in the year.
Once complete, Russia’s PAK AA program will enhance Russia’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategy by providing Russia’s army aviation with better tools to counter NATO’s advanced threats. By outpacing current helicopters, the PAK AA could theoretically reduce vulnerability to man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) and drones, which have menaced Russian helicopters over Ukraine and inflicted thousands of casualties on the ground. This new program signals Moscow’s commitment to maintaining air superiority—and potentially deterring adversaries in other regions like the Arctic or Eastern Europe.
At the global level, the PAK AA intensifies the global rotorcraft arms race, prompting responses from the US military (with the Future Vertical Lift project) as well as China (with its Z-21 helicopter developments). Sanctions and resource constraints may delay the PAK AA’s deployment, with the helicopter not expected to become operational until around 2030. Economically, this project bolsters the export potential for Russian-made helicopters, adding a new source of revenue for Russia’s defense industrial base.
Unlike the US Sikorsky-Boeing SB-1 Defiant, the PAK AA prioritizes combat endurance over pure agility. It surpasses legacy programs, like the Mi-35 in speed and autonomy but lags experimental Western tiltrotors like the V-280 Valor. Russia’s focus on affordability and integration with existing fleets contrasts with Europe’s Airbus RACER (admittedly a civil-military use helicopter).
Russia’s PAK AA high-speed helicopter development program heralds a shift toward faster, smarter army aviation, adapting to hybrid warfare realities. By 2030, it could reshape battlefield dynamics, enhancing Moscow’s deterrence and geopolitical tensions. Yet, challenges like technological hurdles and international isolation loom. As Russia pushes boundaries in military rotorcraft, the PAK AA underscores the relentless pursuit of aerial dominance in an era of rapid innovation.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / ILya Oslyakov.
