Brazilian Air Force to decommission its Mi-35M AH-2 Sabre helicopters.

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will retire its Russian-made Mi-35M attack helicopters, designated AH-2 Sabre, operated by the 2nd 8th CLA, Poti Squadron.

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Brazilian Air Force "AH-2 Sabre" (Picture source: FAB)

The FAB acquired the batch of 12 helicopters in 2008 for an amount of $386 million. The 12 helicopters received by the Squadron were delivered in four batches of three aircraft each and currently accumulate more than 8,000 flight hours. The vector represents a huge operational gain for Esquadrão Poti, which started flying a genuinely attack aircraft, filling an operational gap that existed in the FAB before its arrival. 

Developed from the Russian Mi-24 helicopter, the Mi-35M incorporates several technological innovations, maintaining the main characteristics of its predecessor, which are firepower, armor and robustness. The helicopter is capable of performing missions in low-visibility environments, day and night. It has a high-capacity 23mm cannon attached to a movable turret under its nose and can also be configured with Ataka air-to-surface missile launchers and 80mm unguided rockets.

Unfortunately, there have been unconfirmed reports that the Mi-35 is a difficult-to-maintain aircraft, due to a lack of spare parts, which makes it low in availability. An internal document from the FAB establishes that the aircraft will be withdrawn from operation as of March 1, in a gradual process expected to end on December 31.

The aircraft will be withdrawn from operation as of March 1, in a gradual process expected to end on December 31 (Picture source: FAB)