Media: Russian attack helicopter that crashed in Syria was shot down by a portable surface-to-air missile
The Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter that crashed in Syria may have been shot down by a missile fired from the ground, reported the newspaper Kommersant.
“According to unofficial information, the Ka-52 was shot down while patrolling the eastern territories of the Syrian Arab Republic when it was fired on by portable surface-to-air missile systems (MANPADS), which were at the disposal of radical Islamists,” the paper said.
On May 7, the Ministry of Defense reported the crash of a combat helicopter, adding that the bodies of both pilots were recovered and taken to the base. According to the Russian military department, the cause of the crash may have been a technical malfunction. It was the seventh helicopter crash since the beginning of the campaign in Syria.
Kommersant reported that Russian servicemen have had few complaints about these helicopters. The Ka-52 is considered a de facto finished product. “At least as far as its guided missiles (such as the Ataka), unguided missiles (such as the S-80), and ‘President-S’ onboard defense system, no questions arose,” the newspaper reported. On February 6, the plans of the Russian Defense Ministry to purchase 114 such helicopters in 2018 became known.
The Ka-52 “Alligator” reconnaissance-strike helicopter has been produced since 2010. They are built by the Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company. The helicopter is designed for reconnaissance as well as destruction of tanks, military equipment, other helicopters, and aircraft.