Peru Gets Upgraded Mi-25 Gunships to Boost Drug Fight

Mi-25 is an export version of Russia’s Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter, called by Soviet and Russian pilots ‘the flying tank’ due to its heavy armor and formidable firepower.

Four Mil Mi-25 Hind D attack helicopters, modernized in Russia, have joined the Peruvian Air Force to boost its combat capability in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.

The choppers have been assembled in Peru by Russian specialists after their transfer from Russia. They are part of a $20-mln upgrade deal involving seven Mi-25s, whose service life has been extended by seven years.

Peruvian Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano, who inspected the overhauled helicopters at the La Joya air base in the southern region of Arequipa, stressed that these were attack helicopters, although they retained troop transport capability.

The Mi-25s will be deployed in November in the area of Valle de los Rios Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro (Vraem) where the fight against militant groups and drug-trafficking is hampered by rugged terrain, the jungles, and high elevation.

Mi-25s proved to be very effective in combat engagements in the Andes.

Mi-25 is an export version of Russia’s Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter, called by Soviet and Russian pilots ‘the flying tank’ due to its heavy armor and formidable firepower.

Peru has a total of 16 Mi-25 and Mi-35P helicopters in service with the country’s air force.

Aviakon and France's Sagem to jointly modernize Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopters

Konotop-based state enterprise Aviakon aircraft repair plant (Sumy region) plans in the near future jointly with French-based Sagem to start the modernization of a Mi-24 helicopter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the plant has told Interfax-Ukraine.

The Mi-24PU1 helicopter put into service in May 2012 after the first stage of modernization with the participation of the Ukrainian defense and industrial complex has passed summer test flights and is ready for the installation of Sagem equipment.

The Ukrainian side will equip the helicopter with domestic digital sights, equipment for night use, a laser target designation system, new engines, a VHF radio unit, and a system for protection against missiles with IR guidance. The French company will install an on-board computer, multifunction displays, an optoelectronic station, an inertial-satellite navigation system, and a digital map generator.

The French equipment will be installed on the first prototype of the modernized helicopter for ground tests with the involvement of specialists from Sagem.

"The installation of modern equipment brings the upgraded Mi-24 helicopters up to NATO standards: certain units of French equipment have been successfully installed on Western models, particularly Cougar and NH90 helicopters," said the company.

The modernized Mi-24 is to be demonstrated at the 8th AVIASVIT-XXI International Aerospace Show, which opens at Kyiv-Antonov airport (Kyiv region) on September 27.