Pakistan to buy four Mi-35 helicopters from Russia: report

According to a source in the Russia military, “Following the results of the talks held earlier on helicopters, which Pakistan would like to get from Russia, a draft contract on the delivery of four Mi-35M gunships has been sent to the Pakistani side. Pakistan is now studying the document”.

Talks are underway between Pakistan and Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport for the delivery of the Mi-35 chopper.

It should be noted that the Chief Executive Officer of Russia’s Rostec hi-tech corporation Sergey Chemezov had said that the country had lifted its embargo on delivery of military hardware and armaments to the Asian country.

Foreign Ministry of Russia stated that Pakistan has several Mi-17 helicopters that were provided by the United States to eliminate terrorism from the country.

Mi-35M helicopter is an updated version of Mi-24 (Hind) combat helicopter with high tech equipment and avionics.

Pakistan and Russia had signed a bilateral defence cooperation agreement last year to strengthen the military ties between the two counties. Another deal named ‘technical cooperation agreement’ was signed leading the way for sale of military equipment to the Asian countries.

It should be noted that Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited an arms exhibition in Russian capital near Moscow which showcased Russia’s updated defence equipment. He also saw a live demonstration of the weapons.