Russia delivers 4 Mi-35M Combat/Utility helicopters to Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has taken the delivery of four new Mi-35M transport and attack helicopters, Kazakh defense ministry announced Tuesday.

The contract for the choppers was signed in May 2018. The new rotorcraft will replace Kazakhstan’s ageing Mi-24s. Overall, Kazakhstan is said to be planning acquire eight Mi-35 helicopters from Russia.

Mi-35M attack helicopter is the modernized version of the Mi-24 and is capable of carrying guided and unguided weapons. It is equipped with the latest Klimov-produced powerful VK-2500 turboshaft engines, fibreglass main rotor blades, main rotor head with elastomeric joints, a new swashplate and X-type tail rotor. The Mi-35M’s fuselage boasts shortened stub wings and fixed landing gear.

In addition to its attack capabilities, the Mi-35M can also be used in other operations: Landing-transporting up to 8 paratroopers, with equipment, in the transport cabin; Transporting military supplies or other cargo weighing up to 1,500 kg internally. The Mi-35M is also fitted with an external sling system, expanding its cargo carrying capacity to 2,400 kg.