The Kamov Ka-31 is a Russian-built airborne early warning (AEW) helicopter operated by the Indian Navy, providing carrier and surface task groups with over-the-horizon airborne radar surveillance against low-flying aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles.[1]
Ka-31 undertakes airborne early warning and control duties for Indian Navy carrier battle groups, extending radar detection range well beyond what shipborne radars can achieve against sea-skimming and low-altitude threats. INS Vikramaditya’s air wing includes six Ka-31 AEW helicopters as part of its integrated air-defence sensor network.[1]
Based on the Kamov Ka-27 coaxial-rotor helicopter airframe, the Ka-31 carries a large, retractable under-fuselage surveillance radar antenna that folds against the fuselage during flight and deploys for search operations, giving it 360-degree radar coverage while airborne.[1]
| Type | Airborne early warning (AEW) helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Kamov (Russia) |
| Airframe basis | Ka-27 coaxial-rotor helicopter |
| Role | Carrier/task-group airborne early warning |
| Radar | Retractable under-fuselage surveillance radar, 360° coverage |
| Carrier deployment | 6 aircraft in INS Vikramaditya air wing |
| User | Indian Navy |