Russian military keeps Ka‑52 helicopter fleet afloat amid spare parts crisis
Even before the end of last year, a photo emerged online taken by Ukrainians, demonstrating that Russians encounter difficulties sourcing spare parts for their basic, yet among their best helicopters - Ka-52 Alligator. Consequently, the military had to resort to using parts from their own fleet for repairs, dismantling them from other helicopters.
This desolate airport helicopter was not a solitary symbol of the issues Russia has been experiencing for months. Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that Moscow had sought assistance from Egypt, Pakistan, and Brazil to repurchase engines for helicopters previously sold. Among the missing parts were components for various Russian helicopters - including the Ka-52.
Recently, another image appeared online, illustrating the problems faced by the world's second-largest army; they struggle to maintain an adequate count of their diminishing fleet of Ka-52 helicopters. The Military web portal highlighted the distinct colours of different parts of the Alligator in these images. This is particularly noticeable in the rear section of the helicopter (the rear rudder), and also at the front where the cabin cover originates from a different model.
The Ka-52 Alligator is the staple helicopter of the Russian Federation's armed forces. Despite its design originating from the 1980s, mass production of the machine didn't commence until 2008. The Ka-52 is powered by two Klimov VK-2500 engines, each yielding over 3,200 hp and propelling the helicopter to a maximum speed of nearly 300 kilometres per hour.
Although the Alligator weighs just shy of 9 tonnes, its double rotor system results in superior agility. This makes the Ka-52 a difficult target to eliminate. Furthermore, known as the "fire chariot", the helicopter poses a substantial threat to adversaries due to its potent armament. This primarily concerns the AT-12 laser-guided missiles fitted with the I-251W sighting system and the Shipunov 2A42 30mm gun.
