November 30,2008:
Brazil has purchased a dozen Russian Mi-35M helicopter gunships. The
Mi-35 is the export version of the most recent upgrade of the Mi-24. This is a
twelve ton helicopter gunship that also has a cargo area that can hold up to
eight people, or four stretchers. The Mi-35M can carry up to 2.4 tons of
rockets, missiles bombs, as well as an automatic cannon. It is used by over
thirty countries, and has a pretty good reputation for reliability. The basic
Mi-24 design is based on the earlier Mi-8 transport helicopter. The
"M" model is equipped with Western sensors and avionics and can
operate at night and in all weather.