Ka-29

A navalized assault-transport helicopter derived from the Ka-27 utility helicopter, using Kamov's characteristic co-axial contra-rotating rotors, designed to carry naval infantry and provide fire support during amphibious landings from Russian Navy ships.

In service since 1987 · 3 operator countries

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

280

km/h

460

km range

3,700

m ceiling

2,000

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: Unit cost not publicly disclosed

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Russian state channel

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

Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)

Fielded & proven

Limited · 3 operators

In service since 1987. Status: active · ~60 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.: 280 km/h

Stronger than 22% of helicopters
Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.: 230 km/h

Bottom 9% of helicopters
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 460 km

Stronger than 17% of helicopters
Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.: 3,700 m

Bottom 10% of helicopters
Rate of climb How fast the aircraft gains altitude. Higher means better energy recovery in combat.: 9 m/s

Stronger than 20% of helicopters

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 7.62 mm PKT machine gun (door-mounted)
Hardpoints External stations for weapons and pods. More means bigger and more flexible loadouts.: 4

Stronger than 41% of helicopters
Weapons payload Maximum ordnance weight the platform can carry. Higher means more strike capacity per sortie.: 2,000 kg

Stronger than 78% of helicopters

Protection

Armor, countermeasures and survivability.

Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified.: Armored cockpit
Countermeasures Self-protection: chaff, flares, DIRCM, towed decoys, smoke dischargers, jammers.: chaff/flare dispenser

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 11.3 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.: 5,520 kg
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 11,500 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 2
Troop capacity Number of embarked troops/passengers (IFV, APC, transport). Higher carries more.: 16

Stronger than 50% of helicopters

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Engine Powerplant model and type.: 2x Klimov TV3-117V turboshaft, 2225 hp each
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.: Nose-mounted electro-optical/fire-control sight
Thermal imaging Thermal sights for night and obscured-visibility operations.: No

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability.: 60

Stronger than 25% of helicopters
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 3

Stronger than 48% 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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