By Vovick Karnozov
AWN Moscow-based columnist

MOSCOW, August 20, 1999 - Rosvooruzhenie (Russian Armament) arms-trade agency, the Kamov company of Russia and the Defense Ministry of India signed a contract for the sale of 10 Kamov Ka-31 helicopters.

The Ka-31 is a radar early warning aircraft with a 360-degree radar surveillance. It carries an unfoldable radar antenna under the fuselage (the antenna is folded on the ground and unfolded after takeoff). Detection radius of the radar is known to be in excess of 250 km.

The Ka-31 uses the platform of the Ka-27 antisubmarine warfare helicopter featuring two 2200-hp TV3-117VMA engines driving a coaxial rotor. The 10 helicopters will be based on the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers and destroyers.

Meanwhile, two Russian fighter houses, VPK MAPO and Sukhoi, continue to fight for the Indian Navy order. VPK MAPO offers the MiG-29K in a new, tailor-made version. It is said to have foldable stabilizers to fit into the small dimensions of hangars and elevators of the Indian carriers. The MiG-29K has a fully digital flight control system ("fly-by-wire") and the multifunctional N-011 Zhuk radar working in air-to-air and air-to-surface modes.

Details on the Sukhoi offer to India remains undisclosed. It is believed that a special version of the Su-33 (Su-27K) deck fighter is being offered, along with an export version of the Su-33KUB. The Indian Air Force has ordered 32 Su-30MKI and 18 Su-30KI multifunctional fighters, so that the choice of the Su-33, which is close in many parameters to the Su-30, would allow them to reduce expenses in equipment unification.

The Indian Air Force also has several dozen MiG-29 fighters. Russia and India are negotiating a project on the modernization of the MiG-29s to the MiG-29SMT standard featuring a "glass" cockpit and the capability to fire a variety of guided air-to-surface munitions. If the Navy decides on the MiG-29K, then the overall cost of the deal with Russia on the acquisition of new MiGs and modernization of old ones can be lowered in terms of unit cost.

The choice between the Su-33 and MiG-29K is understood to close. Some time ago, India agreed to purchase the ex-Russian Navy Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrying cruiser. When operational, it carried the Yakovlev Yak-38 vertical takeoff and landing fighters. The Indian Navy has plans to convert the ship into an ordinary-type aircraft carrier with a ramp in the nose. The choice between the two fighters will determine details of the proposed conversion work on the Admiral Gorshkov.