Mil MI-35M Hind-E Assault Helicopters Russia Made Special Upgrades Exported to Pakistan

Mil MI-35M Hind-E Assault Helicopters Update: Pakistan and Russia recently signed a landmark defence deal for the purchase of Mi-35M (NATO reporting name Hind-E) helicopters — a versatile helicopter gunship with troop carrying capabilities.

The Mil MI-35M Hind-E Assault Helicopters is a comprehensive upgrade of the Mi-24V, and brings to the battlefield a whole range of capabilities. Produced by Rostvertol, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters, it is offered as an export variant of the Mi-24.

Read: Pakistan Mil MI-35M Assault Helicopters Received from Russia

Primarily designed for attack missions, and a secondary capability enabling military transport missions, the helicopter delivers superior flight performance characteristics and manoeuvre ability when compared to its predecessors.

The famous Mi-24, made its name by instilling the fear of God in every adversary that faced it on the battlefield. It is also easy and cheap to maintain, a critical consideration for combat aircraft.

Flying Tank

The export version of Mil MI-35M Hind-E Assault Helicopters, which Pakistan acquired, incorporates several improvements over the earlier Mi-24 models.

The cockpit and vital components of Mil MI-35M Hind-E Assault Helicopters are protected by titanium Armour, part of the reason the Hind series is referred to as the ‘flying tank’. Mil MI-35M Hind-E Assault Helicopters has new main rotors with a better aerodynamic profile.

A new X-shaped tail rotor has also been incorporated, replacing the earlier three-blade rotor. The characteristic stub wings of the Hind have been shortened, but still retain their ability to carry large amounts of rockets and guided missiles.

Avionics

Avionics of Mil MI-35M Hind-E Assault Helicopters have also received a major update with the new export model of the Hind. The cockpit is now night vision capable, with new and improved Multi Functional Displays (MFD).

The sensor package has received a major upgrade too, giving the helicopter the ability to engage in combat operations at any time of the day, in all weather conditions.
The turbo shaft engines have been improved and are now more powerful, making the Mi-35 perfectly suitable for operations in our tribal areas and other high altitude areas of operation.

Purpose of Mi-35

The Mil MI-35M Hind-E Assault Helicopters is a combat helicopter primarily, with transport duties a secondary function. The helicopter can carry a wide range of weaponry which includes anti-tank guided missiles, unguided rocket pods, short range air to air missiles, gun pods and free fall bombs.

As the Mi-35 was built to destroy enemy armoured vehicles and anything else that was unfortunate enough to come in its way, it is armed with Ataka or the older Shturm anti-tank guided missiles.
The Ataka has a range of up to 8 kilometres, hence giving it the perfect ability to reach out and touch a ‘friend’. It can also carry 80 80mm rockets or 20 122mm rockets. The Hind-E also has a twin-barrelled 23mm gun, and one has to be extremely unlucky to be on the receiving end of the gun.

Excellent Choice for Pakistan

The Mi-35 will be an excellent addition to the attack helicopter fleet flown by Pakistan Army Aviation.

With ageing AH-1 Cobras, Army Aviation was in need for more modern combat helicopters. Although only four Mi-35s have been ordered, they will form the backbone of a more modern attack helicopter wing, and the possibility always exist for further orders in the future.

The troop carrying ability of the Hind-E can also be used in a number of ways. For one, the helicopter can be used to insert Special Service Group (SSG) personnel onto dominating heights in our current areas of operation, from where they can provide vital surveillance on surrounding areas or provide covering fire to other elements manoeuvring in the valleys below.

Indian reservations that the acquisition of the Mi-35 will alter the balance of power in the region are absurd, for a country that has recently worked out the acquisition of AH-64 Apache gunships from the US; four helicopters will not make a difference in the larger scheme of things.

On the other hand, Pakistan will benefit greatly, and Army Aviation will have sharpened its talons further.

Source: Mehran Post

Pakistan Mil MI-35M Assault Helicopters Received from Russia

Pakistan Mil MI-35M Assault Helicopters Update: Pakistan’s Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) has confirmed that Pakistan has received four Pakistan Mil MI-35M Assault Helicopters from Russian Helicopters.

The statement was issued by DEPO’s Brig. Gen. Waheed Mumtaz during the 2017 International Military-Technical Forum (Army 2017), which took place in Moscow between August 22 to 27.

“The contract was signed, we received all four cars [Mi-35M] and now we get new equipment,” said Mumtaz responding to a journalist (via the RIA Novosti News Agency).

Pakistan ordered four Pakistan Mil MI-35M Assault Helicopters August 2015 in a $153 million U.S. deal, which included training, spare parts and ground support equipment. It was Pakistan’s first true weapon purchase from Russia.

The Pakistan Mil MI-35M Assault Helicopters is a modernized variant of the Mi-24V Hind, a popular Soviet-era attack helicopter based on the ubiquitous Mil Mi-8/17 Hip transport helicopter platform.

As a result, the Mi-35M encompasses many improvements, among them an integrated countermeasures suite and ability to deploy guided weapons.

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Pakistan Mil MI-35M Assault Helicopters is powered by two TV3-117VMA or VK-2500 turboshaft engines, the Mi-35M can deploy anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), guided and laser-guided rockets and gun-pods. Besides its two aircrew, the Mi-35M can also carry eight armed personnel in its cabin and ferry cargo of up to 2,400 kg with a sling.

In May, Rosonboronexport announced that a newer version, the Mi-35P, was also eliciting interest from overseas. The state-owned arms-trade body revealed that it was in negotiations with several countries.

Brig. Gen Mumtaz told RIA Novosti that Pakistani aircrews were acclimating to the Mi-35. However, upon the conclusion of this program, Pakistan will examine the notion of procuring other Russian weapons, be it additional helicopters or armoured, aviation and naval systems.

In 2015, IHS Jane’s had reported that Pakistan was interested in expanding its Mi-35 order – it aimed to procure up to 20 Mi-35s in the coming years. Pakistan was also negotiating with Rostec for a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre to fully support its Mi-17/171 and Mi-35 helicopters.

Pakistan is continuously expanding its close air-support capabilities. Apart from the Mi-35M helicopters, Pakistan is also in line to receive 15 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, the sale of which was approved by the U.S Department of State in April 2015.

Source: Mehran Post