As the conflict trudges along, more losses could be expected.
Equipped with a 30 mm 2A42 dual-feed autocannon, the helicopter can carry up to 460 rounds, while its wing stubs provide four hardpoints to carry a wide variety of firepower. The hard points can be fitted with rocket pods to combat aerial threats or anti-tank guided missiles against ground-based threats.Designed for night operations, the Ka-52 is also equipped with a terrain-following radar and Forward-Looking InfraRed camera mounted under the nose of the rotorcraft.
The attack helicopter also features an advanced avionics suite and self-defense measures such as large exhaust diffusers and flare dispensers mounted on the wing tips. The pilots also get shock-absorbing ejection seats on this rotorcraft, which the Russian Air Force had about 90 before the conflict began.The Ka-52 losses account for nearly half of the rotorcraft lost by Russian forces during the eight months of its aggression.
Russian commanders are, therefore, more likely to engage the rotorcraft in more high-risk operations when they have already seen over eight months of combat. The Drive pointed out that Russia may have deferred some of the maintenance of these helicopters either due to demands of the conflict or lack of high-tech components resulting from sanctions on Russia. As a result, we could see more equipment failures as the conflict prolongs.