The Russian Air Force is set to take delivery of 146 Ka-52 helicopter gunships before 2020, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister said on Monday, March 23. Sixteen multirole Kamov Ka-52 helicopters will be handed over to the Russian military before the end of this year, Yuri Borisov told RIA Novosti news agency on Monday, March 23.

"This year we are slated to receive sixteen Ka-52s,” Borisov said after a visit to the Progress plant in Arsenyev, 160 km from Vladivostok.

The plant’s director, Yuri Denisenko, for his part, pledged to complete all the 146 ordered aircraft before the 2020 deadline.

The Ka-52 Alligator (NATO: Hokum B) is a next-generation reconnaissance and combat helicopter designed to destroy tanks, armored and non-armored ground targets, enemy troops and helicopters both on the front line and in the tactical reserves.

The helicopter can operate around the clock and in all weather conditions. The Ka-52's main armament includes high-precision Vikhr and Ataka ATGMs, a 30mm rapid-firing flexible 2A42 gun mount with an ammunition load of 460 rounds, and S-8 and S-13 aircraft rockets.

The Ka-52 Alligator is currently being introduced in the Russian Army Aviation. Around 72 Ka-52 Alligators combat helicopters are reportedly incorporated in the Russian armed forces.

Pictures have also recently emerged on Russian social networks showing the first test flight of the new Ka-52K Naval Attack helicopter. Based on the Ka-52 "Alligator" the K version has been specifically modified for the Russian Navy to operate the helicopters from the Mistral class LHDs.