The two helicopters in question belong to two completely different operation platforms. HAL Rudra, a modified version of HAL Dhruv, is essentially an attack helicopter, but can also be used in unarmed roles like troop-transport, reconnaissance, etc. It’s also known by the name of ALH-WSI(Advanced Light Helicopter-Weapons Systems Integrated). It has Forward Looking Infra-Red(FLIR) and Thermal Imaging Sights Interface, LASER Ranging and Designation, stabilized day-night cameras, Integrated Defensive Aids Suite(IDAS) acquired from SAAB, Electronic Warfare with self-protection, Radar & Missile Detectors, IR Jammers, Chaff and Flare Dispensers, and what not. Its armory includes French Nexter 20 mm turret gun, Belgian 70 mm rockets, 4 x 68 mm or 70 mm Rocket Pods (Air-Force & Army version), Torpedoes, depth-charges, anti-ship missiles(naval version), MBDA Mistral air-to-air missile and air-to-ground missiles, such as the anti-tank Helina missile. Rudra can be armed with 70mm unguided Rockets and missiles like Nag anti tank missile and French made mistral air to air missile. The Naval version comes with two light torpedo’s for anti shipping capability. During the Navy’s evaluation trails The Israeli Elbit’s target tracking system tracked surface ships at the range of 14 kilometers, and the IRST illustrated image quality good enough to read even the designation number of the Ship. Which impressed the Navy to adopt the Dhurv Mark III for coastal surveillance operations. However Navy not interested the WSI Dhruv. but the Mark 3 version. Coming to Kamov Ka-226T(Indian Armed Forces ordered 200 of these), a refinement of the proven Ka-26, it’s a Russian Utility Helicopter. Approval of the acquisition of Ka-226T was given by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in May 2015 to replace the ageing Chetak (Aerospatiale Alouette III) and Cheetah (Aerospatiale SA-315B) helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), respectively. The Ka-226T features an interchangeable mission pod, rather than a conventional cabin, allowing the use of various accommodation or equipment configurations. The aircraft is fitted with trademark Kamov coaxial rotors, of advanced composite design, making the Ka-226T highly manoeuvrable and eliminating the need for a tail rotor. It performs surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue (SAR), targeting, and transportation of cargo and troops. Medivac, Disaster relief and patrol, Air-Ambulance, Police and Fire-Fighting variants are also available for civilian missions. The military version of Ka-226T is designed for operation in hard-to-reach upland conditions as well as hot and cold climates, with service ceiling of upto 7000 m(will be able to serve at Siachen Glacier with ease). The military version of light multi-mission helicopter Ka-226T is designed for operation in remote areas, tough terrain, overseas, reconnaissance, surveillance and transportation of supplies and personnel.the Ka-226 can operate day and night, in regular and adverse weather conditions, over land or expanses of water, and also in high winds.It is operation in temperatures ranging from -50°С до +50°С with a relative humidity of 100%, and does not need to be kept in a hangar. Along with 2 crew members, HAL Rudra can also carry upto 14 passengers/ 4 stretchers, much more than the estimated 7 passengers/ 1050 kg internal load/ 1100 kg on external sling that Kamov Ka-226T can carry. With two HAL/ Turbomeca Shakti Turboshafts, each generating 1000 kW, Rudra is also much more powerful than the Ka-226T, which boasts two Turbomeca Arrius 2G1, each having an output of 435 kW.
Source: https://defenceupdate.in/
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