Portugal Transfers its Inoperable Ka-32 Firefighting Helicopters to Ukraine | Aviation

After two years, Ukraine will finally receive the six Ka-32A11BC helicopters previously used by Portugal, although reports do not specify if the helicopters will fly again or will be cannibalized for spares.

Nearly two years after Portugal announced in October 2022 the intention to send to Ukraine the six Russian Kamov Ka-32A11BC firefighting helicopters in its fleet that were “inoperable,” the choppers were finally sent to Kyiv.

Acquired in 2006-07 for around $350 million by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, these helicopters were not operable owing to sanctions, as a Russian maintenance team from Kamov was expelled and a maintenance center in Ponte de Sôr was shut down following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Another Ka-32 was “inoperative after having suffered an accident,” Sic Noticias reported.

Reports do not specify if the helicopters will be flown by Ukraine or cannibalized for spares, but the latter is highly likely. Reports from Sep. 2021 quoted the then commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Rear Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, saying the “main task” of the Marine Aviation Brigade was to replace the Ka-27PL and the Ka-29 (that was retired much…