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A Ka-52K with rotors and stub wings folded for storage at the MAKS air show in August. Source: Rostec
Egypt has not ordered the naval version of the Ka-52 attack helicopter for its Mistral-class helicopter carriers, Sergei Chemezov, general director of Russia's Rostec defence holding company, has confirmed.
"If Egypt still decides to acquire the Mistrals, then we will of course offer our helicopters because they were adapted and created precisely for this ship," Chemezov told reporters on 30 September.
His comments came after France confirmed on 23 September that Egypt would buy the two Mistrals, which were built for the Russian Navy under a deal that had to be cancelled due to the imposition of EU sanctions on Moscow over the conflict in Ukraine.
The sale of up to 50 Ka-52 helicopters to Egypt was revealed in August when the Research and Production Corporation Precision Systems and Instruments (SPC CPR) released a report saying it would supply 50 OES-52 electro-optic sights to equip Egyptian Ka-52 helicopters.
After France announced the Mistral sale, a Russian military-diplomatic source told the TASS news agency that Egypt had ordered 50 Ka-52 attack helicopters. "If Egypt deems it necessary, the Ka-52K ship-based version will be supplied," the source said, suggesting Egypt did not order the helicopters specifically for the Mistrals.
The most obvious difference between the Ka-52K and the original version is that the former has folding rotor blades and stub wings so it takes up less deck/hangar space.
Meanwhile, Russia's Radio-Electronic Technologies Concern (KRET) is offering Egypt the 5P28 Pobeditelj electronic protection system that it was going to fit to the Russian Mistrals, while the United Instrument Manufacturing Corp (OPK) is proposing to adapt the command-and-control system it was going to install on the vessels.
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Egypt has yet to select helicopters for Mistrals - IHS Jane's 360