In the wars of the 21st century, a successful special-forces operation usually starts out with precise intelligence gathered by satellites, surveillance planes or drones. It continues under cover of precision strikes from high altitudes by cruise missiles or bombs dropped from warplanes, and ends with a ground force cleansing the field ready for infantry or tank forces to go in.
The high command in Moscow decided that, at this juncture of the Syrian war, its most advanced helicopter, the multi-purpose Mi-35M (NATO-designated Hind-E), was just what was needed for moving small teams of elite troops at speed into battle against Syrian rebels or Islamic State fighters, while covering their landing with a massive blast of fire, and later for lifting them out.
This will be the Mi-35M’s debut on a real battlefield and the first time non-Russian eyes have seen it in action.
The helicopter, the product of the Russian Rostvertol manufacturers, was developed as an upgraded version of the Mi-24 in terms of maneuverability, weapons, ammunition, troop capacity, avionics and intelligence-gathering. Manufacture began in 2005 after years of research.
The final product’s versatility is eminently suited to action in the Syrian arena, For example, it can deliver an 8-man commando team with equipment and ammunition, carry out medication evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions, and conduct surveillance sorties with payloads attached to the helicopter’s belly and under its stub wings, for capturing images or picking up electromagnetic signals.
Designed as an attack helicopter, the Mi-35M is fitted with two rotating cannons that fire 23mm shells and antitank missiles. When so configured, it can carry 16 missiles, eight under each of its small wings.
