Source: Shephard Group
The Russian news agency TASS has reported the handover of the first Mi-35Ms to the Brazilian Air Force, the Força Aérea Brasileira.Three of the attack helicopters - locally known as the AH-2 Sabre - were handed-over at a special ceremony at the Brazilian air base of Porto Velho in Brazil's southwestern Amazon region on Saturday, April 17.
Brazil ordered a dozen Mi-35M helicopters from Russia's Rosvertol in 2008 following an evaluation of the type by Brazilian aircrews whowere impressed by the type's performance. They said the aircraft can handle the hot and humid Amazon rainforest climate. They also praised the reliability and other operational qualities of the aircraft.
The three aircraft were delivered back in December after being airlifted onboard an Antonov An-124 freight aircraft from Russia to Porto Velho. The next batch of Mi-35M helicopters is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2010.
A Russian delegation headed by Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev participated in the ceremony. Rosoboronexport’s director-general Anatoly Isaikin and the Rostvertol Rostov-based helicopter plant’s director-general Boris Slyusar also arrived at the base. Brazil's representatives were Defence Minister Nelson Jobim and the Air Force commander in chief.
Brazil is now the second operator of the Mi-35 in South America, the first was Venezuela who took delivery of 10 examples between 2006 and 2008, although Peru reportedly operated the Mi-24 during the 1980s, it's not clear whether those aircraft remain in service.