| Mil-35 Zimbabwean Mi-35s were intensively involved in the war in Congo since late August or early September 1998. They were used for close-air-support and interdiction operations, but also for escorting lighter AFZ helicopters. After the experiences from the war in Congo showed the importance of night-fighting capability, in the spring of 2000 four of AFZ Mi-35s were sent to Russia for upgrade at Rostvertol Helicopter Plant. These helicopters now have Russian-made NVGs, a new countermeasures system, Garmin GPS 115 with VPS-200 interface, and a turret-mounted IRTV-445MGH thermal imaging system. The turret with the later is mounted underneath the left outboard pylon and enabling the crew to operate in any weather and by night, as well as to detect objects out to ranges of four kilometers.. |
Mil-35 Hind
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