The Ka-29 is a Kamov shipborne assault transport helicopter derived from the Ka-27 naval helicopter family, combining troop carriage with rockets, gun pods, machine guns, and Shturm anti-tank missile provisions. In the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War it appears mainly in the Black Sea naval-air-defense problem set, where Russian Ka-29 crews have been reported hunting Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels and one aircraft was downed near Anapa during a large Ukrainian drone attack in June 2024.
Russian naval Ka-29 helicopters have been reported countering Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels in the Black Sea; in June 2024 a Russian Navy Ka-29 was downed near Anapa during a Ukrainian drone and USV attack while Russian sources described the type as searching for or engaging Ukrainian sea drones.
Role detailsThe Ukraine evidence is strongest around Black Sea force protection rather than classic amphibious assault. Reporting in June 2024 placed a Russian Navy Ka-29 near Anapa during a Ukrainian UAV and uncrewed-surface-vessel attack, while later reporting described Russian interest in Ka-29 units for defending naval assets against Ukrainian drones.
Newsweek and TWZ both described the downed helicopter in the context of searches for or engagement against Ukrainian sea drones.
Sources: TWZ Russian Navy Ka-29 downed; Newsweek Russia downs own Ka-29.
Covert Shores' Black Sea timeline records the June 21, 2024 Ka-29 HELIX-B downing while engaging Ukrainian USVs.
Source: Covert Shores Black Sea timeline.
Defense Express and Defence24 reported renewed Russian Ka-27/Ka-29 organization and overhaul activity tied to protection against Ukrainian unmanned threats.
Sources: Defense Express Ka-29 regiment report; Defence24 Russia forms new helicopter regiment.
The Ka-29 adapts the Helix naval helicopter airframe into a hybrid transport and fire-support aircraft. Its wider cockpit and troop cabin support landing-party transport, while four external stations and internal gun provisions let it escort or suppress around a landing zone.
Naval Technology and Aviastar describe a 16-troop cabin, with alternative casualty and cargo arrangements.
Sources: Naval Technology Ka-27/28 and Ka-29 Helix; Aviastar Kamov Ka-29.
The assault version is documented with rockets, gun pods, bombs, a flexible 7.62 mm machine gun, and Shturm anti-tank missile provisions.
Sources: Aviastar Kamov Ka-29; WeaponSystems Kamov Ka-29TB.
The type was designed for shipborne naval infantry missions, but sources also describe coastal-base operation and later shore-based fleet-defense use.
Sources: Naval Technology Ka-27/28 and Ka-29 Helix; Defense Express Ka-29 regiment report.
The Ka-29 sits inside the wider Ka-27 Helix family, with assault-transport, prototype, radar-picket, and civil-utility branches separated by mission equipment rather than a completely new airframe.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ka-252TB | Prototype designation | Aviastar's Jane's-derived summary identifies Ka-252TB as the prototype designation for the shipborne assault transport branch that became the Ka-29. Sources: Aviastar Kamov Ka-29 |
| Ka-29TB | Armed assault transport version | WeaponSystems.net lists Ka-29TB as the Helix-B assault transport helicopter with 1987 service entry, 16-troop capacity, four pylons, and Shturm, rocket-pod, gun-pod, and machine-gun armament options. Sources: WeaponSystems Kamov Ka-29TB |
| Ka-31 | Radar-picket derivative in the same Helix family | Aviastar describes the Ka-31 as a Ka-29RLD radar-picket branch with early-warning radar equipment, tested on Admiral Kuznetsov and later produced for India. Sources: Aviastar Kamov Ka-29 |
| Ka-33 | Proposed civil utility transport derivative | Aviastar lists Ka-33 as a civil utility transport designation revealed at the 1997 Moscow Air Show, with no known conversions. Sources: Aviastar Kamov Ka-29 |
Open reference sources describe the Ka-29 as an armed transport helicopter with external pylons for unguided rockets, gun pods, bombs, and anti-tank missiles.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 80 mm unguided rocket family | WeaponSystems.net lists B-8V20A rocket pods among Ka-29TB loadouts, allowing up to 80 S-8 rockets across four pods. Sources: WeaponSystems Kamov Ka-29TB |
 | Radio-command anti-tank missile family | Aviastar and WeaponSystems.net both tie the Ka-29TB armament suite to Shturm/Shturm-V anti-tank guided missiles, with WeaponSystems.net listing up to eight 9M114 missiles on the outer pylons. |
Aviastar's Kamov history describes the Ka-29 as a transport/attack derivative of the Ka-27 initiated in response to a Soviet Navy requirement.
Sources: Aviastar Kamov Ka-29
Aviastar reports the prototype's first flight on July 28, 1976.
Sources: Aviastar Kamov Ka-29
Aviastar states production at Kumertau began in 1984 after state acceptance trials were completed in May 1979.
Sources: Aviastar Kamov Ka-29
WeaponSystems.net lists the Ka-29TB as entering service in 1987; Naval Technology separately states the Ka-29 has served with Russian armed forces since 1985.
Sources: WeaponSystems Kamov Ka-29TB, Naval Technology Ka-27/28 and Ka-29 Helix
TWZ reported that a Russian Navy Ka-29 was downed near Anapa during a Ukrainian drone and uncrewed-surface-vessel attack, with Russian sources differing over whether friendly fire or another mechanism caused the loss.
Sources: TWZ Russian Navy Ka-29 downed
Defense Express reported Russian claims of a new Northern Fleet aviation regiment armed with Ka-29 transport-attack helicopters for fleet protection against Ukrainian drones and UAVs.
Sources: Defense Express Ka-29 regiment report
