A batch of Kamov Ka-27 ship-based antisubmarine warfare helicopters will be repaired and upgraded by the Russian Helicopters Holding Company, with the first updated units slated to enter service already before the end of this year, the company press service said Thursday.

“The pilot helicopter, equipped with modern target detection and identification gear, has successfully undergone state trials. It is capable of detecting and tracking submerged and surface targets, engaging them with onboard weapons or communicating the obtained data to the fleet.

The upgrade of the Ka-27 aircraft will continue through 2016-2017,” the statement said.

“Successful modernization of the Ka-27 enables us to offer similar upgrades of the Ka-28 export units currently in use abroad, or offer our foreign buyers the very latest, expanded, version of this helicopter,” the company press service said.

The Kamov Ka-27 is a ship-based multi-role helicopter which has been in service since 1981.

Two key variants were designed for the Soviet and Russian navies: an anti-submarine warfare version and a search-and-rescue version.

Built by the Kumertau Aviation Production Company, the Ka-27 helicopter is designed for detecting, tracking and destroying submarines moving at depths up to 500 meters at speeds up to 75 kph by day or night.