“This represents over 25 percent of the Russian Air Force’s in-service fleet of 90 Ka-52s, and nearly half of Russia’s total helicopter losses in Ukraine,” the ministry said in its daily intelligence update.
“Russian attack helicopters have likely suffered particular attrition from Ukrainian man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), while the helicopters frequently operate with less consistent top cover from combat jets than they would expect under Russian military doctrine,” the ministry added.
“Russia is still failing to maintain adequate air superiority in order to reliably carry out effective fixed-wing close air support near the front line, and its artillery ammunition is running low.
“Russian commanders are likely increasingly resorting to conducting high-risk attack helicopter missions as one of the few options available to provide close support for troops in combat.”
Ukraine’s army has four frontline dozen Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters, 20 Mil Mi-8 or Mi-17 transports and three Mi-2s, all of which are Soviet-designed.
The U.S. has transferred 16 Mi-17s to Ukraine, which had originally been procured for the Afghan government.
According to military experts, the two most capable and deadly attack helicopters are the Russian Ka-52 Alligator and the U.S.-made Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian.
How do these two helicopters compare?
Capacity
The Apache is a twin-turboshaft attack helicopter that was introduced in 1986, with production still ongoing as technology improves. It can accommodate two crew members, with both members of the crew having the ability to fly and engage with weapons independently.
The Ka-52, a modified design of the Ka-50 Black Shark helicopter, is a two-seat attack helicopter, which completed its first flight in June 1997 and is still produced today.
Speed and performance
The Ka-52 is fast and agile in the air, thanks to its two coaxial contra-rotation main rotors. Russian media has claimed it can pivot 90 degrees on the spot, National Interest reported.
It can reach a top speed of 196 mph, a max altitude of approximately 18,000 feet and a maximum range of 683 miles, according to airforce-technology.com.
The newest version of the Apache has a top speed of 188 mph, a maximum altitude of 20,500 feet and a max range of 299 miles, according to the U.S. military. The Apache uses a more common four-bladed single rotor as well as a tail rotor.
Weapons
The Apache’s fire control and weapons guidance systems are the most modern in the world. The helicopter can use target detection and marking systems, as well as night vision systems for pilots. It can also track up to 256 targets within a 30-mile radius. It can carry 16 Hellfire missiles and 76 2.75-inch rockets. It also carries a 30mm M230E1 chain gun that can fire 1,200 rounds, helping it with close combat attacks.
The Ka-52s can carry a variety of different weapons. It can mount deadly R-73 heat-seeking air-to-air missiles on them, which proved effective when used against ISIS fighters and Syrian rebels in the 2010s. It can also mount anti-tank guided missiles, Kh-25ML air-to-ground missiles and 80mm unguided S-8 rockets. It can destroy armored and unarmored ground targets with ease, as well as frontline personnel and low-speed ariel targets, according to airforce-technology.com.
However, the AH-64E can receive video and data from drones – and some can even control the flight path of the drones.
The Ka-52 is nimbler and has more firepower than the American helicopter, but the Apache’s drone technology is superior to the Russian aircraft.
“The Russian Ka-52 is an effective attack helicopter that is generally comparable to the U.S. AH-64 Apache,” Karolina Hird, a Russia analyst from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) told Newsweek. “Technical specifications do not inherently explain shoot down rates or combat effectiveness, however, as pilot skill, operating environment and a variety of other factors play key roles.”
Although the ISW cannot verify the circumstances of each Ka-52 shoot down, high losses of the helicopters are likely caused by a variety of factors, including Russia’s initial and continued failure to establish air superiority and Ukraine’s effective use of MANPADS and other air defense systems, she said.
“Russian forces are likely carrying out higher-risk air operations with less suppression of Ukrainian air defenses than would be preferable for such missions due to their continued inability to secure air superiority (and without the safety they enjoyed during missions in Syria because of lax air defenses),” Hird added. “We cannot confirm the maintenance levels of Russian helicopters, though Russian maintenance has been generally poor throughout the war.”
Update 10/26/22, 3:10 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comment from Karolina Hird of the Institute for the Study of War.
