Russia unveils new Ka-52E helicopter enhancements

Kamov, the maker of the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters, has showcased the upgraded Ka-52E Alligator attack helicopter, featuring a more efficient, compact optoelectronic system at the Army-2024 forum in Russia’s Moscow.

This new variant boasts improved efficiency thanks to a streamlined optoelectronic pedestal, which is more compact and equipped with advanced optical and thermal technology. This enhancement can also be retrofitted to older Ka-52 models, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Despite these upgrades, the performance of the Ka-52 Alligator in Ukraine remains somewhat unclear. By mid-2023, Russia had lost around 40 Ka-52 helicopters in the conflict, with estimates suggesting this number could surpass 60 by mid-2024. These losses represent approximately 30-35 per cent of Russia’s operational Ka-52 fleet. The Russian Air Force has also faced significant losses with at least 12 older Mil Mi-28 “Havoc” attack helicopters downed in Ukraine. Notable incidents include a Mi-28 shot down in Luhansk in May 2022 and another destroyed by a drone in Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024.

The Ka-52 “Alligator,” with its twin counter-rotating main rotors, offers superior agility compared to the traditional tail rotor setup of the Mi-28. This coaxial rotor design enhances its stability and maneuverability, especially in low-altitude and hover operations. However, despite this agility advantage, the Ka-52 has suffered higher losses in Ukraine, partly due to its increased deployment in high-priority roles. As Russia’s most advanced helicopter, it is frequently tasked with attacking a variety of targets, including armoured vehicles and fortified positions.

This increased operational tempo exposes it more to Ukrainian air defences, including portable air-defence systems like Stingers and Iglas, which are widely used by Ukrainian forces. Secondly, the Ka-52’s strategy of operating at low altitudes, which helps it avoid radar detection, also increases its vulnerability to short-range air defenses and anti-aircraft weapons. 

Ukrainian forces, equipped with Western-supplied systems, have effectively exploited this weakness. In contrast, the Mi-28, due to its different tactical role and less frequent exposure to high-risk areas, has sustained fewer losses. Additionally, concerns about the Ka-52’s survivability features may also contribute to its higher loss rate. Despite its advanced armor and ejection systems, the coaxial rotor design could introduce additional risks in combat. Damage to these rotors, particularly from drones or anti-aircraft fire, might lead to more severe outcomes compared to the Mi-28’s traditional rotor setup. Several factors beyond its extensive frontline deployment and low-altitude operations contribute to the Ka-52's higher losses in Ukraine compared to the Mi-28. 

The Ka-52 is designed for direct ground target engagement and often operates in environments densely populated with air defense systems. Its high-risk missions, such as tank hunting and close air support, bring it closer to Ukrainian anti-aircraft capabilities. In contrast, the Mi-28 is typically used in more cautious, standoff roles. Ukraine's air-defence networks, which include both portable systems and larger complexes like the S-300 and Buk, alongside modern Western technologies, are highly effective. The Ka-52’s closer-to-the-frontline and lower-altitude missions make it a frequent target for these defences. 

Conversely, the Mi-28, which operates at higher altitudes or during night missions, faces fewer threats from anti-aircraft systems. Although the Ka-52 is equipped with advanced electronic countermeasures (ECM) and survivability systems, these may not always suffice against sophisticated threats like Western-supplied Stinger missiles and Ukraine’s enhanced targeting capabilities. Even with state-of-the-art countermeasures, helicopters in Ukraine remain highly vulnerable to guided missile strikes. 

The Mi-28’s more robust armor and possibly more conservative deployment strategies contribute to its higher survival rate. Maintaining a helicopter fleet during wartime is a demanding endeavour. The Ka-52’s advanced systems and intricate rotor design require substantial maintenance. With the logistical challenges the Russian military faces in keeping supply lines and support running smoothly, damaged or compromised Ka-52s may be left unrepaired, which contributes to the higher loss rate. 

In contrast, the Mi-28, being less technologically complex, may be easier to sustain under such conditions. In summary, while the Ka-52 boasts impressive agility and firepower, factors such as its operational tactics, exposure to sophisticated air defences, and possible shortcomings in electronic countermeasures and logistical support have resulted in its greater loss rate in Ukraine.