On April 7, 2024, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense published photos of the Machulishchi airbase, announcing the arrival of 4 new MI-35 helicopters to the national armed forces. With these 4 MI-35 helicopters, Belarus completes the delivery of the first batch that arrived in August 2023 at the same base. Equipped with the latest missile detection and warning technologies, the helicopter enhances Belarus's aerial troop transport capabilities.
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New MI-35M arrived at Machulishchi Airbase. (Picture source Belarus MoD)
The Mi-24, which entered service in 1974 and was nearing the end of its service life, known as 'Hind' by NATO and nicknamed 'Crocodile', faced many obsolescence issues. By the early 21st century, through deep modernizations, the legendary 'Crocodile' transformed into the Mi-35M helicopter, which is actively used today but remains overshadowed by the Mi-28N and Ka-52. The Mi-35M differs from the classic Mi-24 with its fixed landing gear (reducing the weight of the helicopter), new main and rear rotors, a shortened wing, and an all-weather targeting and navigation system, largely unified with the Mi-28N.
The Mi-35M also received new powerful VK-2500 engines and a modern electronic warfare system. The helicopter operates around the clock: an automatic terrain-following system onboard ensures undetectable target approach. Its main armament includes "Sturm-V" or "Ataka-M" guided anti-tank missiles, unguided S-8 and S-13 aerial rockets, and a twin-barrel GSh-23 23mm cannon.
Recently, it has been equipped with the L-370 missile alert system as standard.
According to Russian datasheets, the complete Vitebsk L370 system is designed to protect aircraft from both IR and radar-guided missiles, capable of detecting threats within several hundred kilometers. The Vitebsk is a modular system with components both internal and externally mounted.
The main components of the Vitebsk system are:
- L370-1 control unit, processing information from radar, laser, and infrared warning sensors to automatically activate the jamming system and countermeasures while alerting the pilot and providing threat information.
- L150 “Pastel” Digital Radar Warning Receiver, mounted in the tail, wingtips, and nose, operating in the 1.2- to 18-GHz range, covering 360° horizontally and 60° vertically.
- L370-2 UV warning sensors and L140 Otklik laser warning sensors, detecting IR signatures from incoming missiles and laser designators, respectively.
- L370-3S digital active jamming station (not installed on operational aircraft), locating hostile emissions within 5°-10° and jamming signals in two 120° wide sectors.
- L370-5 IR jammer (replaced by L370-5L or L418-5 in some configurations), a laser-based Directional IR Countermeasure (DIRCM), resembling a normal EO/IR sensor turret, which can blind missiles within 500 to 5000 meters, covering 360° around the aircraft and 90° vertically.
UV-26 countermeasures dispensers, each module housing 32 rounds of 26mm flares/chaff.
- Active Towable Radio-location Trap (ATRT), an expendable towed radar decoy for heavy fixed-wing aircraft, attached to a 150-meter cable to lure radar-guided missiles away.
Thus, the Mi-35M provides effective aerial support with its 23mm twin cannon and also serves as an aerial transport as seen during the battle of Gostomel airport from February 24-25, 2022.
Defense News April 2024
