a
World Defense & Security News - Russia
 
 
First Mi-28NM combat helicopter unit to be formed in East Siberia
 
A new helicopter regiment will be formed near Chita in the Trans-Baikal Territory in East Siberia, the Izvestiya newspaper reported. The regiment will be the first to receive Mil Mi-28NM (NATO reporting name: Havoc) attack helicopters, according to the newspaper.
     
Russian Helicopters' Mi-28NM attack helicopter
(Credit: Dmitriy Serebriakov/TASS)
     
Work to form the 112th Separate Helicopter Regiment has already begun. The unit is being established on the basis of the 439th airbase.

Today, the combat helicopter squadron operates Mi-24 (Hind) rotorcraft. In addition to the attack helicopter unit, the 112th Separate Helicopter Regiment will be composed of two squadrons that will operate Mi-8AMTSh (Hip) transport/assault helicopters.

"I’m as a combined-arms officer very glad about the reactivation of separate helicopter regiments designed to strengthen armored and motorized infantry regiments. This practice existed in the Soviet Army. Today, this can be done at a new level, considering the combat capabilities of operational helicopters," expert Viktor Murakhovsky told the newspaper.

"Operating in large theaters of war in the absence of a continuous frontline, especially, in the Trans-Baikal Territory, commanders will be able to expand maneuvering area both on the frontline and depthward. Also, regiment commanders can use helicopter regiments as strike means that can support landing operations and the maneuvers of battalion task forces," he added.

The Russian Helicopters Holding said the experience of designing Mi-28UB training and combat helicopter was used in modernized Mi-28NM. The front cockpit got a second control panel. The cockpit was upgraded so that the pilot and the operator can receive information on surrounding situation and performance of the craft in bigger volume and a more accessible form.

Besides, the helicopter received a new targeting, piloting and navigational complex. The armored cockpit will protect the crew from armor-piercing bullets and shells of 20-mm caliber.

The helicopter is equipped with mast-mounted radar and has increased capabilities of using high-precision weapons, including self-guided missiles. The craft has minimum signature for ground air defense.

Mi-28NM has an integrated onboard radio-electronic complex which detects and identifies ground and air targets, determines their coordinates and transmits targeting data to ground and airborne command posts. The helicopter is armed with guided and unguided missiles and a 30-mm caliber gun.

     
© Copyright 2015 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.