HeliHub.com sources in China are reporting that the City of Shanghai has ordered a Kamov Ka32 for its fire department.  Delivery is expected in June 2013.  It is expected to be fitted with a Simplex fire attack system (either model 328 or 348), a horizontal water gun and VSU-9 bucket carrying up to 5 tonnes of water.

Apart from its native Russia, the Ka32 is already active in the firefighting role in Spain, Portugal, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Greece and South Korea.

The first firefighting Ka32 in China was delivered last September to Ordos (China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region).  The only other example of the Russian-built type current in China flies for the Chinese Institute of Polar Research.

There are also reports that a Ka32 production line in China is under consideration.

Harry Shu – HeliHub.com Beijing correspondent