MOSCOW, May 20. /TASS/. Russia continues working with India on the delivery of Kamov Ka-31 deck-based radar picket helicopters, CEO of the state arms exporter Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheyev said at the HeliRussia-2022 helicopter show on Friday.

"The work with India on this issue continues. The Ka-31 has no rivals and is the world’s sole deck-based radar surveillance helicopter. It perfectly copes with the tasks of controlling the air and sea situation and monitoring economic zones and water areas," the chief executive said.

The Defense News magazine reported on May 17, citing sources in India’s Defense Ministry that India had suspended talks with Russia on the delivery of ten Ka-31 helicopters. As the media outlet reported, the decision was also caused by uncertainty over the deliveries in the wake of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine and payment hassles.

India filed a request to Russia for the purchase of Ka-31 helicopters in May 2019. The negotiations were interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic and restarted in February 2022. The sides agreed that a batch of helicopters would cost $520 million.

India’s Navy currently operates 14 Ka-31 helicopters purchased from Russia in 2003-2015.