Four new Russian-made multifunctional attack helicopters Mil Mi-35 (Hind-E) have arrived at an airbase in western Kazakhstan as part of the country’s rearmament program, the TASS press service reported Tuesday. In 2018, Russia has signed a new contract with Kazakhstan on the delivery of four Mil Mi-35 transport and attack helicopters. In addition to its primary combat designation, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (ҚазақÑтанның Қарулы күштері) Mil Mi-35M may be used to transport personnel and cargo and to evacuate the sick. Overall, Kazakhstan is to get eight Mi-35 helicopters from Russia.
Mil Mi-35M is an export version of the Mi-24V helicopter. The Mil Mi-24 (NATO reporting name: Hind) is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for eight passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and has been operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force and its successors, along with 48 other nations. The export versions, Mi-25 and Mi-35, are denoted with a letter suffix as “Hind D” and “Hind E”. Soviet pilots called the Mi-24 the “flying tank” (letayushchiy tank), a term used historically with the Soviet Il-2 Shturmovik aircraft.
The attack version is designed to engage enemy tanks, other armored and soft-skinned vehicles and manpower on the battlefield and in tactical depth, as well as perform other combat missions, both independently and in conjunction with other ground forces. The Mi-35M can be used in attack, troop-carrying, transport and ambulance (medevac) versions. The attack version is designed to engage enemy tanks, other armored and soft-skinned vehicles and manpower on the battlefield and in tactical depth, as well as perform other combat missions, both independently and in conjunction with other ground forces.
The troop-carrying version is capable of airlifting eight paratroopers with personal weapons. The transport version can deliver ammunition or other cargo weighing up to 1,500 kg inside the cargo cabin or 2,400 kg on an external sling. The medevac version enables the transportation of up to 4 wounded or sick (two sitting cases and two stretcher cases), accompanied by a paramedic.The helicopter is equipped with a powerful onboard weapon system, comprising:, a flexible mount with the 23mm GSh-23L (with 450 rounds), up to 80 S-8 80mm unguided rockets, up to 8 Ataka or Shturm anti-tank guided missiles, suspended pods comprising 23mm cannons and 250 rounds each and 1-2 12.7mm Kord machine guns installed in the cargo cabin.
