Large landing ships (LHD) of the modernized project 11711 “Vladimir Andreev” and “Vasily Trushin”, being built at the Baltic shipyard “Yantar” according to an adjusted technical design, will become carriers of a flight of the latest sea-based attack helicopters Ka-52M for fire support of landing operations. This was reported to TASS by a source in the military-industrial complex.
“The new BDKs of the Vladimir Andreev type, unlike the ships of the basic project 11711, will carry on board not one or two vehicles, but a full-fledged link of the latest Ka-52M attack helicopters armed with Kh-35 anti-ship missiles. This dramatically increases the strike capabilities of the air group, which “will also be capable of covering an amphibious landing from the air. A group of such large landing craft with the Ka-52M will be able to provide fire support for a large landing operation,” the agency’s source said.
According to him, the enlarged hangar of ships of the Vladimir Andreev type is capable of accommodating a flight (up to four Ka-52M) or five Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters for searching and destroying submarines. At the same time, the basic design BDK can accommodate only one Ka-27 search and rescue helicopter or Ka-29 transport and combat helicopter.
TASS does not have official confirmation of this information.
On November 17, a TASS source in the shipbuilding industry reported that the Vladimir Andreev will be launched and transferred to the Russian Navy in 2024.
The Ka-52M is the latest ship-based attack helicopter. It differs from the basic Ka-52 by changes in the on-board weapon systems and navigation equipment, the presence of a shortened folding wing, which was modified to accommodate heavy weapons, and a mechanism for folding the rotor blades. The vehicle is equipped with the latest radar system with an active phased array antenna. The helicopter is equipped with the latest optical-electronic system with a fire control system. The Ka-52M will receive the Kh-35 anti-ship missile, as well as a high-precision lightweight multifunctional missile. The Ka-52M will also be able to interact with Orion-type drones.