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Mi-28 Night Hunters for Algeria
Russian helicopter producer Rosvertol is in talks with Algeria to sell its Mi-28NE attack helicopters.
The company, a wing of the state-owned Russian Helicopyers holding company, has sent a commercial proposal to sell the helicopters to Algeria.
“A commercial proposal has already been sent (to Algiers) and discussions will begin this year,” Rosvertol General Director Boris Slyusar was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti.
“We hope to sign a contract for delivery in 2012-2017,” the official added.
If the deal goes through, then this will be the second export deal for the all-weather night-capable Mi-28NE which is presently being introduced in the Russian Air Force, the news report said.
Venezuela ordered 10 Mi-28's in 2010.
The Mi-28NE ‘Night Hunter’ is the latest variant of Mi-28 attack helicopter family. It has been designed to carry out hunter-killer missions against enemy main battle tanks, helicopters, ground forces and armoured equipment.
The helicopter is armed with a 30mm 2A42 gun with 250 ready-to-fire rounds mounted under the nose, 23mm gun pods, up to 16 9M114, 9M120 and 9M120F anti-tank missiles, infrared-guided Igla air-to-air missiles, 80mm and 122mm unguided rockets.
The two-seat chopper has advanced night vision optical systems and it also features mast-mounted millimeter-wave fire control radar and state-of-the-art avionics.
Algeria to buy Mi-28's
Comment: A common perception is that Africa's helicopter forces are in the main ineffectual, a cosmopolitan assortment of Cold War veteran airframes supported by semi-skilled ground and air crews and which, to an extent, is true. However, there has been rapidly growing interest in the Mi28 with numerous sub-Saharan governments seeking to negotiate purchases and .. crucially .. to buy training programmes that will ensure their effective and ongoing operation. Should these aspirations come to life for any number the relatively impoverished sub-Saharan nations, one could witness their possession, for the first time, of a formidable domestic fireforce in that the capability of the Mi28 exceeds anything they possess at present (Mi24) and represents an important advance in terms of commitment and defence strategy. Interesting times ahead!
A wee reminder of the nimbleness (and effectiveness) of the Mi28: