Six Ka-32A11BC helicopters were purchased by the Portuguese government from the Russian Federation in 2006 for nearly €348 million. This chopper is simply a civilian version of the earlier Ka-27PS. The Portuguese wanted to usage them primarily for transporting personnel and putting out fires. However, the maintenance of these helicopters was becoming more and more challenging, due to problems with the maintenance of rotorcraft. During the Covid-19 pandemic and then the war in Ukraine, the supply of chopper parts collapsed, and as a consequence of sanctions, the Russian Ka-32A11BC maintenance squad was expelled from Portugal and their maintenance center in Ponte de Sor was closed. As a result, the Ka-32 helicopters are not utilized and are only a burden on Portugal's budget. The Ukrainian side is aware of the current condition of the rotorcraft, but will nevertheless undertake to adapt them. For Ukrainians, the most crucial thing is the efficiency and velocity of delivery.
