Russia may supply to Egypt up to 80 Kamov Ka-52 Alligator [NATO reporting name: Hokum B] attack helicopters and Ka-52K Katran (navalized derivative of Ka-52) helicopters designed for Mistral helicopter carriers, a source in the system of Russia’s military technical cooperation with other countries told TASS Tuesday.

The source said that after a contract with France for Mistrals, Egypt is assessing the number of Russian helicopters that may be supplied for these vessels.

“In addition to 50 Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters, the contract for which has already been signed, the Egyptian side plans to acquire, in order to equip Mistrals, Ka-52K Katran naval helicopters and is now making up its mind about their number,” the source said.

“It is not ruled out that the Egyptian side will decide to deploy 16 Ka-52K helicopters at each of its ships, then the volume of the planned order will grow to 32 items, and the overall amount of Ka-52 type helicopters for Egypt will reach 70-80 items,” he said.

The source said the Russian-Egyptian contract for Ka-52K ship-based helicopters may be signed in the first quarter of 2016.

Initially, the two Mistral helicopter carriers were designed for Russia’s navy. The €1.12 billion contract to build the Mistral amphibious assault ships was signed by Russia and France in June 2011.