Ukrainian company markets KT-112UD light attack helicopter concept

The state-owned Ukrainian company Ukrinmash marketed its KT-112UD light attack helicopter concept in Abu Dhabi at the 2017 International Defence Exhibition and Conference, which concluded last week.

As per Ukrinmash, the KT-112UD would be configurable to carry Barrier-V anti-tank laser-guided missiles and Igla air-to-air missiles. The KT-112UD is to be powered by two 115 hp turboshaft engines, providing the lightweight helicopter with a top speed of 200 km/h and service ceiling of 4,000 metres.

Notes & Comments:

With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1,000 kg, the KT-112UD sits alongside platforms such as the Boeing AH-6 (1,610 kg), Bell Helicopter OH-58D Kiowa Warrior (1,737 kg), the McDonnel Douglas MD-500 Defender (1,361 kg), PZL SW-4 (1,800 kg) and Airbus H125M Fennec (2,800 kg with external load).

Lightweight helicopters such as the KT-112UD as armed scout, training and light utility transports. The KT-112UD is indicative of Ukroboronprom’s efforts to revitalize interest in the Ukrainian defence industry, and the KT-112UD could amount to a viable non-NATO alternative.

However, the industry incumbents draw from years – if not decades – worth of scale built from hundreds or thousands of aircraft sold to hundreds of end-users in dozens of countries. In turn, the likes of Bell, McDonnel Douglas and Airbus can fully compete on acquisition and long-term maintenance costs.

Ukroboronprom could differentiate by pairing the KT-112UD with a flexible transfer-of-technology and domestic and co-marketing package to the initial end-user. The KT-112UD could offer certain countries an entry into feasibly building an helicopter industry.

The KT-112UD could also emerge with a competitive price-point if Ukroboronprom manages development costs, which in turn may necessitate it to commercially source additional components (alongside engines from Rotax) from abroad. However, a domestic turboshaft from Motor Sich would provide Ukrinmash with the highest level of control and flexibility over the KT-112UD.

Bilal Khan Founder

Founder of Quwa, Bilal has been researching Pakistani defence industry and security issues for over 15 years. His work has been cited by Pakistan's National Defence University (NDU), the Council of Foreign Relations, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Centre of Airpower Studies and many others. He has a Hons. B.A in Political Science and Masters of Interntional Public Policy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

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