13:48 GMT, October 9, 2009 Moscow |

Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, JSC, part of the industrial holding managed by Russian Helicopters, has produced the first shipment of the anti-submarine Ka-28 for The Republic of China Navy. The helicopters were ordered by Rosoboronexport. The first three of nine helicopters are completing tests.

The first shipment of the Ka-28 to China is a small but confident step in the broadening cooperation with our Chinese partners. Today and in the future the Russian helicopter industry is ready to provide any modern rotorcraft for navy and army forces of most countries, including our partners in China, CEO Russian Helicopters Andrei Shibitov stated.

Sergey Mikrukov, Managing Director, Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, adds: There is a stable upward trend in global demand for Russian helicopters. Our Enterprise is ready to satisfy the needs of our partners in Asia, the Middle East, South America, and on other markets both in midsize (Ka-28, Ka-32) and light (Ka-226T) helicopters.

The Ka-28 is the export variant of the Ka-27 ASW helicopter. It is fitted with high-altitude TV3-117VMAR turboshaft engines with increased nominal and cruise performance. In the search role it is equipped with radio sonobuoys, and in the search and attack role with anti-sub bombs and torpedoes (including the high-speed homing APR-2E Orlan).

The Chinese Navy already acquired eight Ka-28s in 1998 (five ASW and three search & rescue) equipped with the cutting-edge Izumrud search system. The ASW Ka-28s were based on two Sovremenny class destroyers purchased from Russia, and Luhai class destroyers. The helicopters also assisted in targeting the on-board supersonic anti-ship SS-N-22 Sunburn missiles.

By 2000 the Kumertau Enterprise has built 33 Ka-28 helicopters for customers from China, India, Vietnam, Syria, Yugoslavia, and Cuba.

http://www.defpro.com/news/details/10411/

China to build own icebreaker for poles
By Cai Wenjun | 2009-10-8

CHINA will spend three to four years building its own icebreaker for scientific expeditions to the northern and southern extremes of the planet. The vessel would join Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, now the nation's only icebreaker that was built overseas, officials from the Polar Research Institute of China said yesterday. They said the new vessel would be designed by China and European countries with great experience in icebreaker construction and built by Chinese. "It will be the first icebreaker built by China," Wei Wenliang, from the State Oceanic Administration, told a news conference yesterday that formally announced China's 26th expedition to the Antarctic that sets off on Sunday. Xuelong was bought by China from Ukraine in 1993 and is shouldering all tasks to the North and South poles.

"The only icebreaker can't meet our demands in the research into the oceans and resources of the two poles," Wei said.

"It is always busy shuttling between its base in Shanghai and the poles for goods, equipment and staff delivery.

"This severely restricts our research time."

The institute and relevant departments first outlined plans for the icebreaker last year and the scheme has been officially approved by the State Council, or Cabinet. Authorities are doing detailed research on budget, design, producer selection and scientific requirements. After the icebreaker's completion, Xuelong will mainly transport goods and equipment, while the "new kid on the block" will mostly handle scientific research, according to officials.

"I have talked at length with scientists involved in Antarctic and Arctic research," Wei said. "The design of the new ship will try to meet all their requirements."

Business benefits

In addition to supporting polar research, officials said the new icebreaker could have major business benefits amid global warming.

"The polar melting means the possibility of a commercial Arctic shipping route," Wei said.

"Even though the ice is melting, only ships with icebreaking capability can sail the route.

"Experience gained from our first scientific icebreaker will streamline further commercial ship building."

Xuelong will leave Shanghai with 251 staff members for a 180-day trip in the biggest research initiative to date. Three scientists from Taiwan will join the trip, a first in domestic polar research. The vessel will return to Shanghai on April 10 and then head for its fourth mission to the Arctic. After returning from the Arctic, it will head back to the Antarctic late next year.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200910/20091008/article_415716.htm

Just some info on the current main Chinese icebreaker (originally Ukrainian built for the USSR), which the new one will supplement....


AGB Xue Long class

This civilian-flagged ship is operated by the state-run China Arctic And Antarctic Research enterprise, engaging in both legitimate civilian research and support of the Chinese navy. This A2-Level icebreaking vessel was originally ordered by the USSR but possessed (uncompleted) by the Kherson shipyard when the Soviet Union dissolved. The Russian Federation merchant Vasiliy Golovnin is a half-sister. Xue Long has completed numerous cruises to both the arctic and antarctic.

Xue Long can break 5 of ice at a steady 2 ¼ kts and is equipped with four 25-ton cranes and two 6-ton booms on the bow. Additional access to the hold is via a ro/ro ramp plus three small LASH-type barges. Shipboard facilities include a carpentry shop, a satellite relay, and offboard pneumatic and water services. There are two auxiliary boilers for providing offboard steam. Accommodation includes seventy-five merchant style cabins, a swimming pool, and a post office.

Canadian incident

In 1999, Xue Long unexpectedly made call at the small Canadian port of Tuktoyaktuk in the Arctic ocean to buy fuel and supplies. The incident was a huge embarrassment to the Canadian navy as the big, lumbering surface ship had been operating for weeks undetected near (or actually in) Canadian national waters.

Displacement: 19,000t standard, 21,250t
Full Dimensions: 550x74x30
Machinery: Diesel-electric: 3 Burmeister & Wain diesels, 3 DC electric motors, 3 shafts w/CP props Max speed: 17 ¾ kts
Range: 12,000NM @ 12kts
Complement: 34

AIRCRAFT
x1 Ka-32 Helix or similar sized-helicopter

SENSORS-Radar
ARPA (I) 25NM navigation (range, bearing)

SENSORS-EW
RDF loop

SENSORS-Sonar
Commercial bottom-mapping HF sonar
Commercial fathometer