Russia forms new helicopter regiment

Since 2022, the majority of organisational efforts within the Russian Armed Forces have focused on developing forces intended for combat in Ukraine. Likewise, most newly produced and overhauled military equipment has been directed to units engaged on the front line.

There are, however, exceptions to the aforesaid rule. One of them is the formation of a new independent helicopter regiment. It has been created on the basis of the 11th Independent Helicopter Squadron and is stationed at Severomorsk-2 airfield in Murmansk Oblast. This provides further evidence that Russia is not neglecting forces designated for operations in the Arctic and adjacent maritime areas.  

Both the 11th Independent Helicopter Squadron and the newly formed regiment are subordinated to the 7th Mixed Aviation Corps of the Russian Northern Fleet. So far, the 11th Squadron operated Mi-8 transport helicopters. The new regiment has been formed around these assets and reinforced with Ka-27PL anti-submarine warfare helicopters, Ka-27PS search and rescue variants, and Ka-29 transport-attack helicopters.

For years now, no new Ka-27/Ka-29 aircraft have been produced. Those assigned to the new regiment have undergone overhaul and have been returned to active service. The unit is currently in the process of organisation and training new pilots, many of whom have joined directly from higher aviation academies.

Selected pilots have also begun training in deck landing and take-off operations. This is particularly noteworthy given that the 830th Independent Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment is stationed at the nearby Severomorsk-1 airfield. It may therefore be inferred that the new independent helicopter regiment will place greater emphasis on shipborne operations of Ka-29 transport-assault helicopters. 

In response to Ukrainian aerial and maritime unmanned threats operating in the Black Sea, Russia has increased its focus on forces capable of countering such assets in the vicinity of its naval bases. The Northern Fleet’s bases are of critical importance to Russia, as it is the largest fleet in its navy and includes the bulk of its strategic ballistic missile submarines. Lessons drawn from the war in Ukraine have led the Russian Navy to assess that armed helicopters are among the most effective means of countering unmanned systems.

Until the end of 2023, the Northern Fleet included the 45th Air Force and Air Defence Army, headquartered in Safonovo, near Severomorsk-2 airfield. As part of a major reorganisation of the Russian Armed Forces« command structure, aviation units were separated from this formation to create the headquarters of the 7th Mixed Aviation Corps of the Northern Fleet. The remaining units, primarily the 1st and 3rd Air Defence Divisions, were transferred to the Aerospace Forces. It remains unclear whether both divisions are now subordinated to the newly established 45th Air Defence Army or placed under a different command.

At present, the 7th Mixed Aviation Corps includes, among others:

• 98th Independent Mixed Aviation Regiment (Su-24M, Su-24MR, MiG-31BM) at Monchegorsk;
• 100th Independent Shipborne Aviation Regiment (MiG-29KR, MiG-29KUBR) at Severomorsk-3;
• 216th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment (Forpost, Orlan-10) at Severomorsk-2;
• 279th Independent Shipborne Aviation Regiment (Su-33, Su-25UTG) at Severomorsk-3;
• 403rd Independent Mixed Aviation Regiment (Il-38N, Il-20RT, Il-22M, Tu-134, An-12, An-26) at Severomorsk-1;
• 830th Independent Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment (Ka-27M, Ka-27PS, Ka-29, Mi-8) at Severomorsk-1;
• Newly formed Independent Helicopter Regiment (Ka-27PL, Ka-27PS, Ka-29, Mi-8) at Severomorsk-2;
• 5th Independent Anti-Submarine Aviation Squadron (Tu-142MK, Tu-142MR) at Kipelovo;
• 277th Independent Electronic Warfare Battalion;
• 3130th Aviation-Technical Base;
• 3256th Aviation-Technical Base.

One shall remember that a small portion of personnel and equipment from units within the 7th Corps has been temporarily deployed to support Russian forces fighting in Ukraine. However, the overwhelming majority of the Corps« assets remain assigned to operations in the Arctic and the Kola Peninsula region.  

The formation of a new regiment in this area is significant. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia continues to maintain focus on other potential theatres of military operations. The numerical designation of the new helicopter regiment has yet to be confirmed.