Ka-27

A twin-turbine ship-based helicopter using Kamov's signature coaxial contra-rotating rotors for a compact shipboard footprint. Serves the Russian Navy in anti-submarine warfare and search-and-rescue variants from frigates and destroyers.

In service since 1982 · 6 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

270

km/h

800

km range

5,000

m ceiling

800

kg payload

Several performance figures for Russia-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: No public modern unit cost

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Russian state channel

Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.

Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)

Fielded & proven

Established · 6 operators

In service since 1982. Status: active · ~267 built.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.: 270 km/h

Stronger than 17% of helicopters
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.: 220 km/h

Bottom 3% of helicopters
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 800 km

Stronger than 66% of helicopters
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.: 5,000 m

Stronger than 40% of helicopters

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Weapons payload Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie.: 800 kg

Stronger than 34% of helicopters

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 12.25 m
Height Overall height. Lower profile is harder to spot and hit for ground vehicles.: 5.4 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 6,100 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 12,000 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 3

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: 2x Klimov TV3-117V turboshafts
Engines Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.: 2
Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster.: 2,225 hp

Stronger than 79% of helicopters
Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Turboshaft

Sensors & avionics

Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.

Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights.: Osminog search radar, dipping sonar

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 267

Stronger than 64% of helicopters
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 6

Stronger than 69% of helicopters

Specifications compiled from public Russian Helicopters and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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