Pakistan, Russian sign attack helicopter deal

“The contract for four Mi-35M transport and attack helicopters was signed late last week”, an embassy spokesperson told RIA Novosti.

The official did not mention a timeline regarding the delivery and configuration of the helicopters.

Negotiations were on going between the two countries from the last year and finally the deal is done.

This is a major defence deal Russian Federation has signed with Pakistan in decades which indicates changing priorities of Moscow in the wake of strategic partnership between the United States and India.

According to Russian newswire TASS, the Mi-35 is a profoundly modernised version of the Mi-24 (Hind) attack helicopter with new avionics and onboard equipment, a different tail rotor and a more powerful engine.

In September 2014, Rosoboronexport’s deputy director general, Sergey Goreslavsky, said Pakistan was seeking to purchase several Mi-35M helicopters to combat terrorism.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry also said that both sides have been negotiating the delivery of helicopters and that Pakistan now has a number of Mi-17 helicopters delivered by US to assist in the fight against militancy.

The Mi-35M is distinguished by its improved construction.

The Mi-35M boasts enhanced flight capabilities, and can be operated at high temperatures and in mountainous terrain, Xinhua reported quoting a Pakistan television report that quoted unnamed military sources.