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China military: PLA in market for Russian Ka-52K heavy attack helicopters
- China has struggled to come up with its own combat choppers for its new amphibious assault ships
- Agreement would signal closer defence ties amid US hostility, observer says
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China is considering buying three dozen Russian naval attack helicopters, a purchase that would “give wings” to the Chinese military’s new generation of amphibious assault ships.
Military analysts said the deal for the Russian Ka-52Ks would be the third biggest for China and would signal a closer defence partnership between the two countries in the face of US hostility.
“The People’s Liberation Army has studied the possibility of buying Russian Ka-52Ks for quite a long time. The Type 075 landing helicopter dock needs a heavy attack helicopter,” said Zhou Chenming, a researcher from the Yuan Wang military science and technology institute in Beijing.
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Russian news agency Avia.Pro reported on Thursday that the PLA was very interested in the Ka-52K and a Chinese delegation had visited the production line in Primorye Krai in Russia’s Far East.
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“It’s likely that a contract between Moscow and Beijing will be concluded on the supply of at least 36 Ka-52K helicopters to the PLA Navy,” Avia.Pro reported.
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