Mi-35M Wins Brazilian Attack Helicopter Competition
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Brazil’s defense budget has seen a steep rise lately, a necessary step after years of neglect. One of its priorities was to select an attack helicopter – something the country has not previously fielded to its Army or Air Force. competitors reportedly included the Italo-Turkish AW-TAI A129 Mongoose, EADS’ Tiger, and Russia’s heavyweight Mi-35M, a modern variant of the Mi-24 Hind that became famous in Afghanistan. The Mi-24/35 is unique among dedicated attack helicopters in that it can carry a handful of troops, in addition to performing its offensive role.
The A129 and Mi-35M were the reported finalists, and November 2008 reports cited the Mi-35M as the winner of a contract for 12 helicopters…
The Sao Paulo-based newspaper Valor Economico reports that the Mi-35s will be used in the Amazon region, where they would operate in conjunction with Brazil’s Embraer land and ground surveillance jets (R-99A/P-99A) Super Tucanos, S-70 Pave Hawks, and other local assets. If so, the helicopters are very likely to find themselves based in Manaus. Note that the Amazon region borders both Venezuela and Colombia, and is a prime location for trans-national narco-terrorists and drug traffickers
April 6/09: RIA Novosti reports that Russia will start deliveries of Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters to Brazil by the end of 2009. Alexander Fomin, deputy director of the Federal Service on Military-Technical Cooperation:
“We have recently signed a contract to deliver 12 Mi-35 helicopters to Brazil. The first deliveries will start by the end of this year or the beginning of 2010”... The official said the contract was worth about $150 million.”
Nov 25/08: The $300 million contract was reportedly signed during Russian “President” Dmitry Medvedev’s recent visit. The Brazilian newspaper “Folha de São Paulo” offers an interesting side note, claiming that the purchase was delayed because the Brazilian Air Force wanted the helicopters to be fitted with Elbit Systems’ avionics, manufactured and/or assembled by Elbit’s Brazilian subsidiary AEL.
The Russians argue that this would be uneconomic for such a small batch of aircraft, but the choice would provide important commonality with avionics already present in the FAB’s Super Tucano light attack and surveillance turboprops, F-5BR fighters, and A-1M AMX light attack jets. News reports regarding the contract signing have not revealed whether this issue was addressed in the contract. Moscow Times | China’s Xinhua | Flight International.
