Initially thought to be a variant of the earlier Ka-25, the Kamov Ka-27 'Helix' is in reality a completely new helicopter designed to replace its predecessor as the principal ship-based anti-submarine platform of the Soviet navy. Like the Ka-25, the Helix is characterized by two coaxial counter-rotating propellers (a Kamov specialty) and a rotor-less twin tail in addition to some of the same types of equipment including a search radar, a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), dipping sonar and sonobuoy launchers. Main differences, however, include more powerful turboshaft engines and a redesigned fuselage with a more spacious cabin thus allowing for much higher gross weight. These characteristics allow the Ka-27 to be effective not only in its intended ASW role but also for search and rescue (SAR) missions and as an amphibious assault transport known as the Ka-29. Foreign operators include Algeria, China, India, South Korea, Vietnam and the former Yugoslavia.

First flown in prototype form in December 1974, the Ka-27 entered service in the early 1980s initially as the Ka-27PL 'Helix-A', the direct successor to the Ka-25 in the anti-submarine role and with the equipment mentioned above. An amphibious assault transport variant is known as the Ka-29TB 'Helix-B' and has the capacity to carry 16 fully-equipped troops while the Ka-27PS 'Helix-D' is a specialized SAR and planeguard version with external fuel tanks and a rescue hoist. Lastly, the Ka-32 is a civil transport with uprated engines available in a land-based cargo transport version (Ka-32T) and a shipborne rescue ambulance (Ka-32C).