The Mil Mi-35 "Hind" became a major upgrade to the classic Soviet-era Mi-24 "Hind" assault gunships and transport series of heavy helicopters. When the Mi-24 received various system upgrades, the Mi-24V model variant was born and from this came the Mi-35 which originally served as the export designation. The Mi-35 carries a multirole classification and retains the tandem, two-seat crew arrangement as well as passenger cabin of the original Mi-24 and weapons are still held externally underneath wingstubs as in the original. The system entered series production in 2005.
Compared to the original Cold War player, the Mi-35 has been given upgraded avionics and navigation along with a digital glass cockpit for each crewmember. The helicopter is also outfitted with a laser rangefinder, thermal imaging device, and improved target sighting systems. Internally, the helicopter has received reinforcement of its structure for increased battlefield survivability. The five-bladed main rotor utilizes fiberglass construction and armament wingstubs have been shortened to help promote a thinner forward/rear profile. Additional work has been put into rough field and "hot-and-high" operational capability as well.
The changes added to the Mi-24 to become the Mi-35 have considerably modernized and broadened the Cold War product considerably. All-weather and day-night operational capabilities are considered strong as is over-water service allowing the Mi-35 to function in nearly any battlefield environment. Optional equipment includes the OPS-24N observation-sight system, upgraded Anti-Tank (AT) functionality, and support for non-Russian communications kits.
Beyond the attack helicopter role, the Mi-24/Mi-35 is something of a unique combat helicopter in that it can ferry up to eight fully-equipped combat troops thanks to its cabin area set under the main rotor and engines. Additionally, this space can be used to ferry cargo loads up to 1,500 kilograms overall while a sling system allows for an additional 2,400 kilograms to be carried externally. Beyond these roles, the helicopter can also serve as a MEDEVAC platform for ferrying wounded and associated medical staff. Onboard survivability is improved through a modern Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), IR jammer, IR suppression system at the engine exhaust vents, cockpit and critical components armoring, and a chaff/flare dispenser.
Its engine makeup is 2 x Klimov VK-2500 series turboshafts with reduced noise levels and maintenance requirements. The Mi-35 retains the Mi-24's fixed wheeled tricycle undercarriage. Maximum speed reaches 310 kmh with cruising near 260 kmh. Hovering ceiling is 3,150 meters with a maximum operational ceiling of 5,400 meters. Ferry ranges reach out to 1,000 kilometers with a combat radius of 460 kilometers.
As armament is at the heart of the Mi-35 system, the helicopter can boast an impressive dedicated or mixed array of weaponry. This includes up to eight Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) across the four presented underwing hardpoints. Rocket loads are either 80mm S-8 series or 122mm S-13 series munitions used alongside or in place of the missile armament. 23mm gun pods can also be carried under the wingstub assemblies while there is also a twin-barreled 23mm cannon mounted in the chin turret as standard.
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June 2016 - It was announced that Nigeria will soon introduce the Mi-35M as part of its active inventory.
October 2017 - Mali has become the latest Mi-35 helicopter operator with two Mi-35M models having been delivered by Russia.
May 2018 - Kazakhstan has committed to the purchase of an unspecified number of Mi-35M platforms during KADEX-2018.
September 2018 - Two modernized Mi-35 forms were unveiled at the 2018 Army Show (Moscow).
December 2019 - Serbia has beefed up its helo fleet by taking delivery of four Mi-35M attack helicopters / gunships from Russia.
August 2020 - Quantitative serial production of the Mi-35P model has begun. The P-model enhances overall performance and agility as well as addressing cockpit systems and weapons modernization / standardization.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
✓Transport
General transport functionality to move supplies/cargo or personnel (including wounded and VIP) over range.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Special Forces
Serving Special Forces / Special Operations elements and missions.
✓Training (General)
Developed ability to be used as a dedicated trainer for student pilots (typically under the supervision of an instructor).
Length
57.4 ft (17.50 m)
Width/Span
56.8 ft (17.30 m)
Height
21.3 ft (6.50 m)
Empty Wgt
18,420 lb (8,355 kg)
MTOW
25,353 lb (11,500 kg)
Wgt Diff
+6,934 lb (+3,145 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Mil Mi-35M production variant)
Installed:
2 x Klimov TV3-117VMA OR VK-2500 turboshaft engines developing 2,500 horsepower each driving five-bladed main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor (facing port side).
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Mil Mi-35M production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
STANDARD:
2 x 23mm Twin-barreled cannons in traversable chin turret.
OPTIONAL:
Up to 8 x Air-to-Surface / Anti-Tank missiles OR 4 x 80mm / 122mm rocket pods / cannon pods / gun pods across four underwing hardpoints.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 4
Mi-35 - Base Series Designation
Mi-35M - Base Series Model; all-weather, day / night attack model; upgraded sensors and avionics; night vision support; improved targeting system; GPS navigation; glass cockpits; protected communications suite.
Mi-35M1 - Alternative designation of Mi-35M
Mi-35M2 - Venezuelan Army variant; upgraded Mi-35M
Mi-35M3 - Export version of the Mi-24VM
Mi-35M4 (AH-2 "Sabre") - Brazilian Air Force variant; Israeli avionics kit upgrade.
Mi-35O - Mexican Army variant; based on Mi-24VN; Mexican FLIR camera system; upgraded avionics kit.
Mi-35U - Trainer variant sans armament.
Mi-35P - Export Mi-24P variant.
Mi-35P - Mi-35 modernization standard of 2020; 3rd generation long-wave thermal imager; laser rangefinder; upgraded support for new-generation missiles; L370 ECM system; modernized targeting system; digital flight control system; cockpit MFDs replacing steam gauges.
General Assessment
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Values are derrived from a variety of categories related to the design, overall function, and historical influence of this aircraft in aviation history.
Overall Rating
The overall rating takes into account over 60 individual factors related to this aircraft entry.
74
Rating is out of a possible 100 points.
Relative Maximum Speed
Hi: 200mph
Lo: 100mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (193mph).
Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Mil Mi-35M operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).
Max Altitude Visualization
Design Balance
The three qualities reflected above are altitude, speed, and range.
Aviation Era Span
Showcasing era cross-over of this aircraft design.
Unit Production (750)
750
36183
44000
Compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian).
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Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Image from official Russian Helicopters marketing material.
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Azerbaijan; Brazil (AH-2); Iraq; Kazakhstan (ordered); Mali; Mexico; Nigeria; Russia; Serbia; Venezuela
