IMAGE: Sputnik / Kirill Kallinikov
Russia is starting a large-scale modernization program of its Mi-35M military helicopter fleet, Izvestia newspaper reported on March 7 citing sources in the Defense Ministry. According to the report, expirience obtained in the Syrian conflict will be used in the program.
The modernized helictopers will get a new name – Mi-35MV – a number of important improvements. The Mi-35MV will get an additional armour as well as a upgraded propulsion and optical system. The last two features should improve the military helicopter’s night-time and all-weather capabilites.
An electronic warfare system and additional measures against anti-aircraft systems will be installed in the Mi-35MV.
The 360-degree OPS-24N1 surveillance and targeting opto-electronic system, which would be used in the upgraded helicopter, combines four stabilized GOES-321MK optoelectronic imaging devices, located in different parts of the vehicle. A combined image is produced and displayed to the helicopter pilot as well as inside the cabin.
Izvestia said that the Russian military had already made a principal decision to go forward with this program. It also pointed out that the defense ministry sees the Mi-35M employment in the Syrian conflict as successful.
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