Russia to sell Pakistan four MI-35 helicopters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Wednesday signed an agreement with Russia for purchase of heavy attack helicopters MI-35 ‘Hind’ to Pakistan, the media reported.
“An agreement was signed between Pakistan and Russian authorities in Rawalpindi for the purchase of four MI-35 helicopters,” said a senior military official on Wednesday.“This is a big breakthrough for Pakistan. Russia has decided to ignore India’s pressure and proceed with this deal with Pakistan,” said the official.
However, he was tight-lipped about giving further details about the deal and the time of delivery.Pakistan has previously been discouraged from securing any major defence contracts with Russia due to objections from India, which is one of Moscow’s most important arms customers.
“Times have changed. The Russians have realised that Pakistan genuinely needs this equipment for a very legitimate reason,” said the Pakistani government official. The agreement is believed to have been finalised during the visit of Army Chief General Raheel Sharif visit to Russia in June this year. The Pakistan Army has relied in part on Mil Mi-17 ‘Hip’ helicopters in its military campaign against the Taliban in North Waziristan along the Afghan border.
Analysts say the Pakistan Army, which is the defence forces’ main helicopter operator, had chosen Mi-35 because of its satisfaction with Russian helicopters that it has used previously, notably the Mi-17. Pakistan first received Mi-17s in 1994; most recently the United States donated four reconditioned platforms in 2009.
The Mi-35M is a multi-role combat helicopter manufactured by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. It is an export variant of Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter. Primarily designed for attack and military transport missions, the helicopter delivers superior flight performance and manoeuvrability than its predecessor.
The production of Mi-35M started in 2005. The aircraft integrates modern high-precision weaponry for destroying ground-based armoured targets and providing air support for ground missions. It can be modified as an attack, ground assault, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) or transport platform.
It is one of the modern combat helicopters in the Russian Air Force inventory. It is also operated by the armed forces of Venezuela, Brazil and Azerbaijan.The Mi-35M incorporates several improvements including shortened stub wings, a new rotor system, modern avionics, upgraded turboshaft engines and a hydraulic system. The cockpit and vital components of the helicopter are significantly armoured. The Mi-35M has an overall length of 21.6m, wingspan of 6.5m and height of 6.5m.
Its takeoff weight in ferry configuration is 12,000kg. It can carry eight troops or a payload of 2,400kg.Cockpit and avionics: The glass cockpit of the Mi-35M accommodates two pilots in tandem configuration. The night vision goggle (NVG)-compatible cockpit integrates multi-functional displays (MFDs), redundant flight controls and state-of-the-art avionics.The helicopter is equipped with OPS-24N surveillance-and-sighting station, television channel, GPS-guided navigation system and optional non-Russian radio station.