Expert: Ka Fai Ng - 1/8/2002

Question
I have heard of the older Soviet-era helicopters like the Hind and Hoplite. Have the CIS continued to develop new helicopters that can match the U.S. Apache, Kiowa Warrior, and Comanche designs?
If so, what are these helicopters capabilities, and what weaponry might they utilize. Please be as specific as possible. Thank you very much, I appreciate any help.--Jerome.

Answer
To Jerome,

 I hope I didn't miss understand your question because CIS can mean a few things in Military stuff! In here I take it as the Independent state after the disolution of the Soviet Union.
 
 There is a few Soviet/Russian helicopters and aircrafts that can match the U.S. Apache. Examples such as the Mi-28 (NATO Designated as Havoc), Mi-35(Also known as Hind, it is the ungraded versions of the Mi-24 Hind) and the Kamov Ka-50/Ka-52 (Known as Black shark/ Alligator)can perform the same tasks and also have very similar capabilities as the Apache. All of the 3 designs (specially the Mi-28 and the Kamovs) are design specifically to match the U.S. Apache and other future projects around the world. The advantages of the Mi-28 is that it is very fast, highly manoeuvrable, well armed and with with enough armoured to be one of a deadly enemies to any NATO ground units, specially tanks. The advantage of the Kamov Ka-50 is that it is the world first single seat attack helicopter, it also featured retractable landing gear and with counter rotating co-axial main rotor, this allow the Kamov helicopter to be faster, longer range and carry more loads. The Ka-52 is just a two seat version of the Ka-50.

 For the Comanche, there is no helicopters in anywhere around the world that can match its technologies (and the cost of one unit too!). Personally, I don't think the U.S. would really buy a large number (as suggested for 1292 helicopters in year 2000) because the cost is simply too expensive to be use in combat! I think they will issue something like no more than 150 units at the most!

 For the Kiawa Warrior, well, there is no Soviet/Russian helicopter design that is specifically for the role of Armed Reconnaissance and light attack. The aging Mil Mi-8 series can equipped with several different radar and can also be armed with rockets to perform similar role. For the role of Recon. the Russian/Soviet tend to use high speed or long range aircrafts such as the MiG-25 and the Tu-95 to fulfill the mission.

 And to "hunt" the U.S. helicopters from all type, there is never any specific helicopter design around the world that can perform such tasks. Although all armed helicopters can perfrom the it, but generally they won't do it for some reasons. The Russian can use weapons such as AAMs, rockets or even the 30mm 2A42 gun on board the Kamov to kill the U.S. counterpart.

 Personally, the Russian will use aircrafts such as the MiG-29 and Sukhoi Su-25 to hunt any helicopters because aircrafts is just much more efficient in the role, so the helicopters can armed with more laser guided missiles to kill tanks and provide more ground support for the army!

 I hope I have answered your questions. If you want more information on helicopter (either U.S. or the Russian, or even the European one) I can provide you information. But please be more specific, there can be a lot of specfic information, I just need to know what exactly you want!