Russian Mi-28N Attack Helicopter Debuts In Syria

Russia’s Mi-28N attack helicopter has made its combat debut in Syria.

In a video posted by Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), at least one Mi-28N helicopter is seen fighting Islamic State (IS) terrorists near the city of Palmyra, Tass reported Monday.

In the footage, the aircraft used both types of Ataka (AT-9 Spiral 2) guided missiles namely, 9M120 with anti-tank shaped-charge warhead and anti-personnel 9M120F with combined high-explosive/aerosol-explosive warhead.

Mi-28N eliminated hostile infantry fighting vehicle and destroyed a small building with terrorists inside. The helicopter`s gunner was guiding the missiles using radio command guidance system. The footage also shows image from the helicopter`s TV camera.

The helicopter`s jamming system easily suppressed the ageing man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), namely Soviet Strela-2 and Igla-1 and Chinese Hong Ying-5

According to several reports, Mi-28N has fully revealed its anti-terroristic potential in fighting outside Palmyra. The airframe and rotor-blades were not damaged by hostile anti-aircraft guns (primarily outdated, but widespread ZU-23-2), as the helicopter eliminated them, staying at the safe distance (3-4.5 km).

“The effectiveness of Mi-28N`s radio-electronic protection, without specifying the type and designation of the appropriate systems installed, Tass quoted an unnamed source in Russian defense industry as saying.

"[In Syria], the helicopter`s jamming system easily suppressed the ageing man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), namely Soviet Strela-2 [SA-7 'Grail'] and Igla-1 [SA-16 Gimlet] and Chinese Hong Ying-5 [HN-5]," the source emphasized.

Several such states, namely Algeria and Iraq have already ordered 42 and 19 Mi-28NEs, respectively.