The Ka-52's co-axial rotor layout has better aerodynamic performance, resulting in turning faster and tighter, which is an important consideration when operating in demanding mountain conditions and also when engaged in air combat against other helicopters, slow-speed fixed-wing aircraft and drones

The nose fuselage sides and floor of the Ka-52 are armour-protected from projectiles up to 23mm calibre using dual-layer armour with steel and aluminium plating assembly. The Ka-52's windshield can withstand hits of projectiles up to 12.7mm calibre and an extra side-on protection for the pilots (wearing armoured vests in combat conditions) is provided by add-on armour screens on the movable canopy sections

The co-axial rotor configuration used by the Ka-52 is a trademark of Kamov. It creates lift and at the same time eliminates the torque reaction and the resultant requirements for a tail rotor with the associated complex boom assembly, shafts and intermediary gearbox

By December 2021, the VKS had in its army aviation branch fleet as many as seven front-line attack squadrons equipped with the Ka-52 in addition to a combat training and aircrew conversion squadron with a total inventory of 150 to 160 machines

The Ka-52 offers a very stable platform for firing rockets and the gun thanks to the vibration-free environment and the precise targeting system. Here it is seen unleashing an S-8-series of 80mm rockets

By early-2019, the AAC Progress aircraft plant in Russia’s Far East has rolled out no fewer than 120 series-production Ka-52s plus five prototypes and pre-series examples. In addition, four Ka-52K preseries shipborne helicopters were built as well as no fewer than three dozen of export-standard Alligators

The Ka-52 is considerably easier to support in the field than its predecessor RAA Mi-24 thanks to the high automation and the lots of built-in test equipment

The Vikhr-1 ATGM with a maximum range of 4.2nm (8km) comes fitted with both contact and proximity fuses and the specific type of fuse can be selected by the pilot before launch. When the proximity fuse is selected, the missile can also be employed as an effective air-to-air weapon, able of engaging air targets flying at speeds of up to 432kt (800km/h).

All the engine and systems information for both crew members is displayed in the centre of the instrument panel, on two liquid crystal displays, while each of them is provided with two multi-functional displays for flight/navigation and targeting data