The New Players in the Middle East
Following the expected deployment of the Russian Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft
carrier to the Syrian campaign and the operational introduction of the Ka-52
Katran, Russia aims to be a leading player in the region. Special analysis
by Col. (res.)
Dr. Shaul Shay | 27/07/2016
http://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/new-players-middle-east

The Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will join the Syrian campaign
from October 2016. Currently, the vessel carries 15 fighter jets and more
than ten helicopters, some of them Russia's state-of-the-art Ka-52K Katran
helicopters.

The primary task of the air group will be to support the Assad government
troops in battles with militants opposed to Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
During the deployment of the Admiral Kuznetsov, Ka-52K Katran helicopters –
the ship-based version of the Ka-52, which is already being used in the
Syrian operation – will be live-fire tested.

The Ka-52K type was developed for Mistral helicopter carriers ordered by
Russia in France in 2011. However, France froze the delivery of two
Mistral-class amphibious assault ships to Russia in 2014 over Moscow’s
stance on developments in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his
French counterpart Francois Hollande agreed on terminating the contract on
the delivery of the ships to Russia.

In October 2015, Egypt signed a deal with France to buy two French-made
BPC-210 Mistral Class amphibious assault ships (BPC/LHD) that were
originally built for the Russian Navy. In an inauguration ceremony at the
port of Toulouse, on June 2, 2016, Egypt raised a flag on its first BPC-210
Mistral Class amphibious assault ships (BPC/LHD). Egypt has named the ship
after the late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. According to AFP,
another Mistral helicopter carrier, named after the late Egyptian President
Anwar El-Sadat, will be delivered to Cairo in September 2016.

Russia and Egypt had signed a deal for Egypt’s purchase of 50 Ka-52
Alligator attack helicopters from Russia. The purchase includes the variant
of the Ka-52 Katran, which specifically designed for the Mistrals Russia had
intended to acquire.

The Ka-52 Alligator

Ka-52 Alligator is an all-weather attack helicopter operated by the Russian
Air Force. Developed by Kamov Design Bureau (part of Russian Helicopters),
Ka-52 is a twin-seat variant of the Ka-50 attack helicopter. The Ka-52
helicopter can destroy enemy armored and unarmored ground targets, low-speed
aerial targets, and personnel at the front line and in tactical depth.

The Ka-52 can provide target acquisition and designation for helicopter
teams and ground troop command and control centers. It can also provide fire
support for troop landings, fly routine patrols and escort military convoys.

The first Ka-52 helicopter was rolled out in December 1996. The helicopter
completed its first flight in June 1997. The serial production of Ka-52
began in 2008 at Progress Arsenyev Aviation plant in the Primorye region of
Russia.

The helicopter has a length of 16m, height of 4.9m and a main rotor diameter
of 14.5m. The maximum take-off weight of the Ka-52 is 10,800kg.

The starboard side of the fuselage is fitted with an NPPU-80 movable gun
mount installed with 2A42 30mm automatic gun. The six wing-mounted external
hard points can be attached with different combinations of weapons.

The hard points can carry VIKHR anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), ATAKA
missiles with laser guidance system and B8V-20 rocket launchers for 80mm
unguided S-8 rockets. VIKHR anti-tank missile has a range of eight to ten
kilometers. The Ka-52s can also be armed with IGLA-V anti-aircraft guided
missiles.

The Ka-52 helicopter is fitted with a mast-mounted random housing a
Phazotron FH-01 Millimeter Wave Radar (MMW) radar with two antennas for
aerial and ground targets.

The countermeasures are supported by active IR and electronic jammers, radar
warning receiver (RWR), laser detection system, IR missile approach warning
sensor and UV-26 flare/chaff dispensers in wingtip fairings.

The Ka-52K

The Ka-52K is a naval deck-based variant of the Ka-52 Alligator. The combat
capabilities of the ship-based version of the Ka-52 are considered as
inferior to the land-based one. The main difference between the helicopters
is operational. The Katran has folding blades so that it can fit in a
helicopter carrier's hangar, while the navigation system has been slightly
upgraded to ensure flights over the sea, as well as boarding and landing on
the ship.

The company, Russian Helicopters, is the sole Russian rotorcraft designer
and manufacturer and one of the few companies worldwide with the capability
to design, manufacture, service, and test modern civilian and military
helicopters.

The BPC-210 Mistral Class Amphibious Assault Ship (BPC/LHD)

The primary mission for these ships is amphibious landing operations. They
also provide command and force projection capability.

The Mistral class vessel uses four mechanized landing craft (LCM) or two
hovercraft (LCAC) in the stern deck to deliver troops and vehicles ashore.
It can carry a full tank battalion with up to 40 MBTs, or up to 70 lighter
vehicles. The ship provides accommodation for 450 Marines; however, the
surge capacity is 900.

Mistral class LHD has six helicopter landing spots. Up to 16 medium (NH90,
Tigre) or 35 light helicopters can be carried and stored in the hangar deck.
It is worth mentioning that every helicopter, operated by the French
military, can land on these ships.

The ships are equipped with 69 hospital beds, and a hangar can also be
converted into a modular field hospital. The Mistral class can be deployed
as command and control vessels – while the command center can host up to 150
personnel.

The vessel is armed with two Simbad launchers for Mistral surface-to-air
missiles and two 30-mm Breda-Mauser guns.

Summary

The decision to send the Russian Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to join
the Syrian campaign and the operational introduction of the Ka-52 Katran are
part of the Russian strategy to be a leading player in the Middle East and a
principal arms supplier in the region.

Egypt has learned its lessons and decided to reduce the overreliance on one
provider (US) and diversifying the sources of Egypt’s armaments became a
strategic priority. As a part of the new Egyptian policy, Russia and France
became significant sources of arms supply.

The Ka-52K deal is a significant step in the fast-growing strategic alliance
between Egypt and Russia. Egypt and Russia have never been that close since
the era of late President Gamal Abdel Nasser, referring to the level of
economic and military cooperation, which culminated in arms deals and naval
maneuvers codenamed “Friendship Bridge 2015.”

Mistral Class ships, designed for a large helicopter aviation role as well
as amphibious landing and support of troops, would improve Egypt's
capabilities in these areas. The Ka-52K helicopters, combined with the
Mistral ships’ troop landing capabilities, offer Egypt a whole new dimension
of offensive and influence operations.

Egypt has one of the biggest navies in the Middle East, and the current arm
deals will help Egypt to upgrade and modernize its navy. Egypt’s navy is
currently taking part in a Saudi-led Arab operation against Houthi rebels in
Yemen.

Egypt could use the two new warships to transport about 1,000 troops,
armored vehicles and helicopters to intervene in Yemen, Libya or other
countries where Egypt and a joint Arab force might become involved. The
addition of the Mistral ships and the new helicopters could also provide a
counter-balance against increasing Iranian influence in the region