NEW DELHI is planning to order six additional Ka-31 radar picket helicopters for the Indian Navy this year, according to Indian newspaper The Economic Times. In May last year, the country's defence ministry announced plans to buy ten Ka-31s for 3,600 crore (US$507m; £390m), but didn't receive the expected funding and, accordingly, scaled back its plans. As part of the same budget cuts, the Indian Navy reduced the order for additional Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft from ten to six. In August 1999, the Indian Navy, as launch customer, placed an order worth US$92m for four Ka-31s for the aircraft carrier Viraat and three 'Krivak lll'-class frigates, An additional contract for five more helicopters was signed in February 2001. The airframes were produced by KumAPP in Kumertau, Russia, and then transported to the Kamov workshop in Lyubertsy, where the mission systems were installed. All nine helicopters were delivered to India during 2003-04; they received Indian Navy serials 561 to 569. The next Indian order for five more Ka-31s (serials 721 to 725) was placed on August 28, 2009 and was fulfilled in 2011-12, for an overall total of 14 aircraft. All serve with INAS 339 'Falcons' at Goa.
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