The Portuguese MoD has announced the final delivery of six Ka-32A11BC cargo helicopters to Ukraine. The Portuguese Ministry of Defence, in a significant show of support, has announced the final delivery of six Ka-32A11BC cargo helicopters to Ukraine.
Ka-32A11BC helicopters, following their firefighting service in Portugal, will continue under the Ukrainian government. This variant of the Ka-32 helicopter is mainly intended for cargo carriage with a slot for external carriage.
According to Fire Aviation, Portugal deported the Russian maintenance crew following the long list of sanctions as a retaliation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This left no one to maintain the helicopter developed in Russia, which had considerable architectural differences compared to Western-bloc helicopters of the same class. Ukraine is already operating Ka-27 helicopters, from which Ka-32 was developed. Thus, the donated helicopters can be handled better with a level of experience and the presence of technical means.
The Ka-32A11BC's 5000 kg external payload capacity might be used by the Ukrainian forces for logistics missions that other in-service helicopters might not be able to take on. The helicopter's coaxial rotor configuration plays an important role in its carrying capacity.
