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Over 100 new helicopters, including 14 Ka-52 Alligator adopted by Russia's Air Force

According to the commander, in 2014 the tempos of the new equipment delivery would be maintained

© ITAR-TASS/Yuri Smityuk

ARSENYEV (PRIMORSKY KRAI), December 25. /ITAR-TASS/. The aviation fleet of Russia’s Air Force in 2013 has been reinforced with more than 100 new helicopters, including 14 Ka-52 Alligator gunships, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Viktor Bondarev told reporters on Wednesday.

“This year we are receiving more than 100 helicopters,” he said during a visit to the Arsenyev-based Progress aviation company (included in the Russian Helicopters holding).

The commander said, in particular, that Progress in 2013 had fulfilled the state defense order task on the delivery of Ka-52 helicopters.

“The plant has flawlessly fulfilled this year’s task and all 14 helicopters will be delivered to the troops,” Bondarev said.

He added that the Ka-52 helicopters were being delivered to aviation of the Eastern, Southern and Western Military Districts.

According to the commander, in 2014 the tempos of the new equipment delivery would be maintained. “We’ve seen at the plant shops today aircraft from 2014 issue. The Russian Helicopters holding and the plant promise us that next year we will be regularly, on a quarterly basis, receiving helicopters,” he said. “Not at the end of the year, but beginning from March, the first six helicopters will be delivered, and then quarterly - three - four aircraft. Pilots will start to master them in March.

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