Key Points
- The Ka-52 attack helicopter looks likely to become the latest Russian platform to make its combat debut in Syria
- An Mi-8AMTSh has been carrying the L370 Vitebsk defensive aids suite
Kamov Ka-52 ('Hokum-B') attack helicopters carrying the L370 Vitebsk defensive aids suite will deploy to Syria to provide security for the Russian task force at Humaymin Air Base in Latakia province, a defence industry source told the TASS news agency on 15 January.
"Ka-52 helicopters equipped with the Vitebsk electronic warfare system will be deployed to Syria soon. They will not only control the situation around the Humaymim airfield, but also conduct combat search-and-rescue operations [CSAR]," the source said.
He noted that the deployment will provide an opportunity to test the Ka-52 in a war zone for the first time.
At present the Russian air group operates Mil Mi-24P and upgraded Mi-35M attack helicopters, as well as Mi-8AMTSh transport/attack helicopters, one of which was lost to ground fire during a CSAR operation on 24 November.
The Vitebsk system includes radar and laser warning systems, as well as active electro-optic and radar jammers.
It already appears to have been deployed to Syria on an Mi-8AMTSh helicopter that was seen in footage broadcast by the Russian news channel RT on 11 January. The helicopter carried an electro-optical turret on each of its weapon pylons and another on its tail: a configuration associated with the Vitebsk's directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) capability.
DIRCMs are designed to defeat infrared-guided surface-to-air missile systems. While Syrian rebels have been seen with such systems in the past, no Russian aircraft have been lost to one as yet.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
