Editing Kamov Ka-50 (section)

===Ka-52K "Katran"===
[[File:Russian Navy, Kamov, Ka-52K (21444723505).jpg|left|thumb|Ka-52K "Katran" of the Russian Navy]]

The [[Mistral-class amphibious assault ship|''Mistral''-class]] [[amphibious assault ship]]s, ordered by the Russian Defense Ministry,{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} were to contain rotary-wing assets, formed into aviation groups. Each of these groups was planned to include eight attack and eight assault/transport helicopters. The Ka-52K "Katran" ({{langx|ru|link=no|Катран}}, '[[mud shark]]'), a navalised derivative of the Ka-52, has been selected as the new ship-borne attack type for the [[Russian Naval Aviation]]. Its features include folding rotor blades, folding wings, and reinforced landing gear. Since its wings are shorter than those of the land-based variants, the Ka-52K only has four weapons pylons, instead of six on the land-based Ka-52. There are plans to install a new radar in the Ka-52K, with longer range compared to the Ka-52's radar. The Ka-52K will also be able to use [[Kh-35]] and [[Kh-38]] missiles. However, they haven't yet been integrated in the helicopter's mission suite.<ref name="auto">{{harvnb|Butowski|2022|pages=79–80}}</ref> Russian Naval Aviation will need at least 40 Ka-52Ks, the first of which was tentatively slated to enter squadron service by early 2015, coinciding with the delivery of the first carrier.<ref>Mladenov, Alexander. "Force Report: Russian Navy". ''Air Forces Monthly''. Issue 286, p. 80, January 2012.</ref>

However, following the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russian annexation of Crimea]] the sale of the Mistrals was cancelled and they have since been sold to Egypt.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Egypt agrees to buy warships built for Russia from France |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34335224 |access-date= 2015-10-01 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180916214611/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34335224|archive-date= 16 September 2018|url-status= live|date= 23 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title= Egypt to Equip its New Mistral-Class Helicopter Carriers With 50 Russian Made Ka-52K Alligators|url= http://defense-update.com/20150924_mistral-2.html#.Vg18Msv0q_Q|website= defense-update.com|access-date= 2015-10-01|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150929054946/http://defense-update.com/20150924_mistral-2.html#.Vg18Msv0q_Q|archive-date= 29 September 2015|url-status= live|date= 24 September 2015}}</ref> Later, Egypt bought 46 Ka-52s, with deliveries lasting from 2017 to 2019. These helicopters have been deployed on the Mistrals originally built for Russia; however, Egyptian Ka-52s are regular land-based variants, not Ka-52Ks.<ref name="Butowski 2022 page=74">{{harvnb|Butowski|2022|page=74}}</ref>

Still, the first of four Ka-52Ks ordered for the Russian Navy flew on 7 March 2015; the Navy also had an option for a further 28 helicopters.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=[[Flight International]]|date=17 March 2015|title=First flight edges Ka-52K towards maritime debut|page=15|volume=187|issue=5480|issn=0015-3710}}</ref> As of 2017, 4 pre-series Ka-52Ks were operated and used for testing by the Russian Navy.<ref name=Ka-52K_ref1>{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20171013/1506746789.html|title="Вертолеты России" обсуждают с ВМФ поставки машин Ка-52К|website=ria.ru|date=13 October 2017|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916055838/https://ria.ru/defense_safety/20171013/1506746789.html|archive-date=16 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Ka-52K_ref2>{{cite web|url=http://www.heliopsmag.com/heliops-frontline/ka52k-katran-for-the-russian-navy|title=KA52K Katran for the Russian Navy|website=heliopsmag.com|access-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916060100/http://www.heliopsmag.com/heliops-frontline/ka52k-katran-for-the-russian-navy|archive-date=16 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> After a period of uncertainty, the Ka-52K's future with the Russian Navy now appears clearer. In July 2020, [[Keel laying|the keel was laid]] for two new [[Project 23900 amphibious assault ship]]s in the [[Zalyv Shipbuilding yard]]. Each ship will be able to carry up to 18 helicopters, including Ka-52Ks.<ref>{{harvnb|Butowski|2022|pages=82–83}}</ref> The Ka-52K has passed all tests and was ready for serial production as of September 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2020/0917/105559640/detail.shtml |title= Морские вертолеты Ка-52К "Катран" прошли все испытания и готовы к серийному производству |date= 17 September 2020 |access-date= |archive-date= 25 November 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201125194622/https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2020/0917/105559640/detail.shtml |url-status= live}}</ref>

According to the [[SCMP]], China is considering the purchase of 36 Ka-52Ks to be used aboard the [[Type 075 landing helicopter dock|Type 075 helicopter carrier]], which would fulfil the role of a heavy attack helicopter. These helicopters are necessary to equip the carrier with powerful attack weapons, which it currently lacks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-21 |title=PLA in market for Russian Ka-52K heavy attack helicopters |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3149462/china-military-pla-market-russian-ka-52k-heavy-attack |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501033159/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3149462/china-military-pla-market-russian-ka-52k-heavy-attack |url-status=live}}</ref>