Russia to deploy Ka-52 attack helicopters to Syria.

The “Hokum-B” combat helicopters will be used to protect the Russian contingent at Hmeymim airbase.

Russian Kamov Ka-52 (NATO reporting name “Hokum-B”) helicopters would be about to deploy to Syria according to a source who talked to ITAR-TASS.

The attack choppers will be used to protect the Russian Task Force deployed to Hmeymim airbase, near Latakia, as well as to conduct CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue) missions as the one launched to rescue the two pilots who ejected from the Su-24 Fencer shot down by a Turkish Air Force F-16 in November 2015 (during which, a Mi-8AMTSh Hip helicopter was hit by ground fire and later destroyed).

Interestingly, the first Ka-52 deployment will also be an opportunity for the Russians to test new technologies as the KRET Vitebsk EW (Electronic Warfare System).

http://theaviationist.com/2016/01/15/russia-to-deploy-ka-52-attack-helicopters-to-syria-to-protect-latakia-air-base/