Seeks Southeast Asian Country that Ordered Mi-28NE Helicopter

04 September 2019

Each Mi-28NE helicopter is capable of carrying 16 anti-tank missiles and rockets, artillery guns of all sizes to wipe out armored targets, infantry exercises in all weather conditions (photo : TASS)

TASS cited the media of the Russian Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), saying that six foreign customers had sent requests to Russia to provide Mi-28NE attack helicopters.

"Since 2015, the Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation agency has received 6 requests for Mi-28NE helicopters . These partners are from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), "the source said.

Unfortunately, the FSMTC source refuses to provide the identity of the countries offering Mi-28NE attack helicopters . Predicting is relatively difficult because Russian helicopter customers in Asia and Europe very much. Particularly in Southeast Asia, besides Vietnam, there are also Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia also using Russian helicopters.

If only the countries specializing in helicopter attack, including Vietnam, Myanmar and Indonesia. In particular, Vietnam has retired the number of Mi-24A helicopters expired and not replaced, while Myanmar and Indonesia have had contracts to buy new Mi-35 attack helicopters. Not to mention, customers who buy Mi-28NE are here (Vietnam)!

Mi-28NE attack helicopter (photo : Alexander Mladenov)

Mi-28NE is an export version of the Mi-28N night attack helicopter series developed by Mil Moscow - Mi-8/17/24 designer. Although the export version, but Mi-28NE is considered as integrated technology as the domestic version, even more favored.

Compared to the previous generation Mi-28A, the Mi-28NE has a very strong Russian-made main propeller system and VK-2500 engine, especially the improved avionics system that allows operation in all weather conditions. The most significant is the mm-wave radar mounted on the top of the rotor to increase the ability to detect targets in obscured battlefield conditions ... its features are comparable to AN/APG-78 Longbow radar on Apache helicopters.

A close-up of one of the two helicopter helicopters attacking Mi-28NE. As can be seen, the control panel equipment is modernized with a large color LCD screen that displays the flight specifications. In addition, the pilot will have a helmet with integrated target display system combined with some types of guided weapons.

The survival ability of Mi-28NE is also upgraded when the cockpit is covered with thick armor, the windshield can resist 12.7-14.5mm machine guns. In addition, the aircraft also integrates an automatic fire protection system to protect electrical and hydraulic equipment ... as well as fire.

Mi-28 cockpit (photo : fyodor)

In terms of firepower, Mi-28NE is equipped with a 30mm 2A42 cannon under the nose that can rotate to the sides to allow firing without the helicopter. The cannon has a rate of fire of 200-800 rounds / minute, effective range of 1,500 meters with ground targets and 2,500 meters with targets in the air.

Two small wings of Mi-28NE can deploy up to 16 Ataka-V anti-tank missiles with a range of 8km, piercing 900mm steel after explosive reaction armor. In addition, it can optionally carry 4-8 Strelets air-to-air missiles incorporating 80 / 130mm rockets or additional 30mm gunpods.

Instead of using TV3-117 engine line of Ukraine, Mi-28NE switched to equipped with VK-2500 axis turbine engine of Russian production, with takeoff capacity of 2,200hp / unit. Helicopter speed reaches 300km / h, ceiling of 5,600m, distance of 435km.

The blades of Mi-28NE are made of durable plastic material that can withstand 30mm bullets. In addition, the tail rotor design with an X shape significantly reduces noise when flying.

(KienThuc)