KA-226T Revival: Russia’s VK-650V engine could reshape India's helicopter fleet

On June 21, Russia's Rostec announced that its subsidiary, United Engine Corporation (UEC), had delivered the first experimental VK-650V engines for flight design tests. The initial VK-650V prototypes, created at UEC-Klimov in St Petersburg, successfully completed the preliminary and durability tests. These engines are now undergoing certification tests at the Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) and are also being readied for ground testing on Ansat multipurpose helicopters.

If the VK-650V engine successfully completes flight testing and certification by the end of this year, it could be very important for India. This success might restart the Indian Ministry of Defence’s project to manufacture Ka-226T helicopters locally.

The VK-650V is the first Russian engine in the 650-750 horsepower range. It is made for Russian-built multipurpose and special helicopters with a takeoff weight of up to 4 tons. This engine is intended to replace foreign engines in the Ansat helicopter—a Russian multi-purpose chopper designed for various civilian and military applications which has a lightweight design and is known for its versatility, making it suitable for such tasks as transport, medical evacuation and training—and the Ka-226T helicopter.

RAPID VK-650V ENGINE DEVELOPMENT

Russian media outlet Sputnik reports that the development of the VK-650V engine has been impressively quick. The first VK-650V demonstrator engine was put together in December 2020 and, by early-2021, it had its first successful ignition of the combustion chamber. The engine certification process began in 2023.

Currently, the Kazan Ansat helicopter uses two PW 207K turboshaft engines made by Pratt & Whitney, Canada. Each of these engines provides a maximum takeoff power of 630 hp and a contingency power of 710 hp. The Kamov Ka-226T helicopter is powered by two Arrius 2G1 engines from Turbomeca, a Safran Group company. Each of these engines delivers a takeoff power of 580 hp and a contingency power of 705 hp.

JOINT HELICOPTER MANUFACTURING PACT

On December 24, 2015, during a visit to Russia by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the annual summit meeting, India and Russia signed an agreement to jointly manufacture Kamov Ka-226T light-utility helicopters in India at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The agreement proposed that both the countries would manufacture a minimum of 200 of such helicopters for India’s military. Additional helicopters may also be made for civilian use in India and for export purposes.

As part of the contract, the first 40 Ka-226Ts will be built in Russia by JSC Kumertau Aviation Production Company and then assembled in India. The remaining 160 helicopters will be manufactured and assembled in Tumkur, Karnataka, in southern India, with an increasing amount of local production. Earlier reports had indicated that the first 60 helicopters would be produced in Russia and the remaining 140 in India.

LOCALIZING KA-226T PRODUCTION EFFORT

The Ka-226T helicopters are planned to be locally manufactured in India by a joint venture called Indo-Russian Helicopters. HAL owns 50.5% of this venture, Russian Helicopters holds 42.5%, and

Rosoboronexport holds 7%. The joint venture aims to start manufacturing the helicopters in Tumkur, Karnataka, by 2025. Currently, about 72% of the Ka-226T’s components are of Russian origin, with a French engine and some other western parts. In the initial talks, Russia said it was ready to manufacture 60% of the components in that country.

In November 2019, India asked Russia if increasing the extent of localization was possible. Russia agreed and, at DefExpo 2020, Indo-Russian Helicopters Ltd CEO NM Srinath stated that the helicopters made in India would feature around 70% Indian-origin components out of the 72% initially Russian-made parts, as reported by Sputnik. Overall, the helicopters will have about 40% Indian-made components.

PROGRESS OF LUH AMID KA-226T DELAY

In January 2022, the Ka-226T local manufacturing project was one of 10 projects reviewed by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) as part of India’s efforts to reduce procurement of defence equipment from abroad. The Indian press highlighted HAL’s progress with the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) during this review.

The 3-ton-class LUH developed by HAL is meant to serve both military and civilian purposes. The project started in 2009. The LUH is equipped with a Safran HE Ardiden-1U engine rated at 750 KW and has a maximum all-up weight (AUW) of 3,150 kg. The chopper has space for a couple of crew, besides four passengers.

The LUH received initial operational clearance (IOC) for the Indian Army from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CeMilAC) on February 5, 2021. On November 2, 2021, the Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) gave its ‘acceptance of necessity’ (AoN) nod to procure 12 LUHs from HAL.

On November 29, 2021, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt informed Parliament that HAL would deliver four LUHs—two each to the Indian Army and IAF—in fiscal 2022-’23 and eight more LUHs—four to the Army and four to the IAF—within 2023-’24. Bhatt said the next step was the manufacture of series production (SP) of the helicopters by HAL.

However, no LUH deliveries have taken place so far. After the January 2022 review, the Ka-226T project was put on hold.

ENHANCE HAL’S TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE

Manufacturing the Ka-226T locally will enable HAL to acquire the expertise and technology involved in building helicopters with coaxial rotor blades, which offer better stability, increased agility and responsiveness, improved ground clearance and greater lifting capacity for a given rotor diameter.

The Ka-226T is the first Russian chopper manufactured through digital design documentation, which cuts down the time needed to roll out the chopper and start flight tests. HAL is expected to benefit greatly from its exposure to digital twin technology. Last, but not the least, the VK-650V engine can be adapted for use in both plane- and chopper-type UAVs and light aircraft.

REVIVE THE KA-226T PROJECT IMMEDIATELY

It is important to note that the contract for the local manufacture of the Ka-226T was signed by PM Modi. The project was put on hold because, at the time of contract signing, the helicopter was powered by French engines. Since then, France has denied Russia access to these engines, making it impossible for Russia to meet its obligations as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) without the Arrius 2G1 engines. Despite tardy progress since January 2022, the project has not been scrapped.

Now, with the availability of an all-Russian power plant, it is time for India and Russia to move past the force majeure delay in implementing the project. Russia is now in a position to offer India the Ka-226T

with 100% Russian components, which is a significant advantage beyond the original contract terms. India and Russia can now negotiate indigenization levels comparable to the 70% achieved with HAL’s LUH. While being proud of the LUH, it is important to recognize that HAL will be under pressure to produce the LUH quickly enough to replace the ageing fleet of light helicopters in the Indian armed forces.

(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)

(Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own and do not reflect those of DNA.)