Mi 25 attack helicopter gifted by India to Afghanistan reaches Kabul, 3 more to follow

[nik22]

Kill Some Taliban (Good/bad) !!

 

[Vergennes]

I found this about the upgrade of those Mi25. (One can say whatever it wants about the Israelis,hate them,but i was and still always amazed about this little country's defence industry,they produce among the best gears/components in the world and with a comptetitive price. They are in the same court of big powers. Seriously,those that do not have relations with them have more to losse ! Won't even talk about high technology,agriculture etc..)
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The IAF's Mi-25/35 Fleet is currently undergoing an upgrade program. Almost all of the IAF Mi-25s and 35s have now been painted in a low visibility paint scheme
The wake-up call to Mi-24 export operators (as many as 600 Mi-24/25/35 export types are deemed suitable for various scales of upgrade) came from Israel Aircraft Industries. It's mission 24 Mi-24 upgrade proposal was selected by the Indian Air Force in an order comprising 25 upgrade kits under a $US20 million contract signed in 1998. It proved to be a good advertisement with which to convince potential customers that a cost-effective alternative upgrade proposal exists, and was viewed as highly competitive to those offered by Russian and French companies. With an affordable and rapid integration of observation/sighting, navigation, self-defense and self-protection equipment proven in real-world operational conditions, the helicopter could perform well in the demanding CAS/AA role in the 21'st century battlefield, including at night and in adverse weather.

IAI's Tamam electro-optical division was quick to offer an affordable upgrade package for the Mi-24 that required reduced development time and risk. The Indian Air force contract covered prototype manufacture and testing in Israel, with production conversion to be undertaken at the customer's facilities. No airframe, flight control system, autopilot, power plant, transmission or rotor system changes have been made by Tamam due to the complexity and costs of such rework and any subsequent required qualifications.

The Mission 24 upgrade package as sold to the Indian Air Force is built around a 1553B digital databus. The heart of the upgrade is a single mission computer developed with IAI MLM; it is a derivative of the model used in the US Air Force T-38 upgrade program, in which IAI is the principal subcontractor.

Mission 24 utilizes Tamam's proven helicopter multi-mission optronic stabilized payload HMOSP, which weighs around 30 kg (66 lbs). It is a turret ball mounted derivative of the combat proven IAI Tamam night targeting system installed in the US marine corps AH-1W super cobra and Israeli DF/AF Cobra attack helicopters FoV (between 2.4 deg and 29.2 deg on the FLIR).

The HMOSP can incorporate two types of FLIR: a scanning array 4 x 480 Cadmium-mercury-telluride detectors, operating in the low-wavelength band, and a 320x 240- element indium-antimony focal plane array functioning at the middle wavelengths. Monochrome or color CCD TV cameras are included, together with a laser rangefinder, designator and pointer, plus a built in auto-tracking unit that uses centroid and edge-tracking techniques.

The cockpits are NVG compatible, and both crew members have the option to use IAI's advanced NVG set built-in monocular display on which all necessary navigation and targeting information can be presented. Both cockpits feature a single multi-function display (MFD) for TV, FLIR and targeting information, in addition to a keyword and display unit for navigation and communication control. The CPG has control grips borrowed from the AH-1W, with all necessary sensor/weapons control switches and knobs; such devices when combined with the MFD, can dramatically change work practices and reduce workload.

The HMOSP has been integrated with the Shturm-V ATGM SLOC guidance system through an IR goniometer and interface unit designed by IAI Tamam engineers, which has fully replaced the original old and bulky Raduga-F sighting/ATGM optical tracking system. The unit weighs more than 200 kg (440 lb). The Raduga-F 's role for targeting and tracking both the target and missile was taken over by HMOSP, with guidance commands being produced and transmitted to the missiles through the existing equipment. Russian sources indicated in 2002 that Tamam experienced some guidance problems during Shtrum-V test firings using the HMOSP system in place of the Raduga-F. In order to solve the sensitive missile guidance problems, IAI contacted the Russian design authority for the Shtrum, the KBP company of Tula, which provided important technical assistance. The contact was arranged through the Russian arms export agency Rosvoorouzhenie predecessor of Rosoboronexport.

Close up of the front fuselage of an IAF Mi-25 before upgradation (left) and after Upgradation with the HMOSP Multi sensor turret fitted right above the Raduga-F installation (Right).

After

KBP help is believed to have been instrumental in solving the software/hardware, guidance and control problems associated with the HMOSP/Shtrum-V assimilation on India's upgraded Mi-24s. There are other types of ATGMs on offer for the Mission 24 system, such as Rafael's Spike-ER that has a maximum range of 7 km (3.8 nm) and employs 'fire-and-update' fibre optic guidance. However the Indian Air Force, which has ample stocks of Shtrum-V missiles, preferred to limit the guided weapons integration work on it's upgraded choppers to the relatively cheap and well-proven Russian made supersonic ATGM. The Shtrum-V is still considered to be highly effective against older generation MBT's, such as the Chinese made Type-59/69, the chief potential targets for Indian 'Hinds' in a future war with Pakistan. Integration of the Indigenous Nag ATGM is known to have been earmarked for IAF Mission 24 machines at a later stage.

Navigation improvements introduced by IAI include a GPS receiver integrated into the existing DISS-15D Doppler sensor, and a three-dimensional digital map display. Both the HMOSP and YakB-12.7 gun are slaved to the pilot's line of sight through the use of a helmet-mounted sensor; the machine gun can also be slaved to the HMOSP. IAI chaff/flare dispenser units and Elta radar/laser/missile warning systems have provided a self-defense capability. The total weight of these new systems is about 50 kg.

It was reported that the production phase of the Indian Air force mi-35 was successfully running in 2001 or 2002. During the contract implementation phase, the IAF was tight lipped about the upgrade details, and IAI has also been reluctant to disclose the details of the launch customer for its Mission 24 package. The upgraded helicopters, in overall light grey camouflage, were displayed publicly for the first time during the Aero India 2003 air show in Feb 2003 in Bangalore.

In a nutshell, the package includes:

• A day-night sight with TV and FLIR.
  
• A mission computer.
  
• NVG-compatible cockpit with MFDs and moving-map display.
  
• Support for helmet-mounted sights.
  
• A countermeasures suite.
  
• Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite navigation network receiver.
  
• Support for the AT-6 Spiral and Rafael Spike antitank missiles.
  
  
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A great gift indeed. @nik22 @Manindra @Agent_47 @Abingdonboy @nair @MilSpec @Stephen Cohen @Nilgiri @The_Sidewinder @ito @PARIKRAMA @Joseph Goebbels @Dash @Capt.Popeye @anant_s

 

[dadeechi]

NEW DELHI: India has delivered its first major offensive military platform to Kabul, with a Mi 25 attack helicopter reaching Afghanistan earlier this month. The first of the four Russian origin choppers that have been gifted to the neighbouring nation has arrived in Afghanistan, with three more on the way, senior officials have told ET.

The attack helicopters, designed to take on fortified enemy positions and flying in troops to locations prone to heavy ground fire, will join the Afghanistan Air Force that already operates three of the Indian built Cheetal light helicopters

The delivery marks the first time India has gifted offensive combat capability to Afghanistan, a sensitive topic in the past due to strong objections by Pakistan. Under the agreement, which has the approval of Russia which is the original manufacturer, India will also train Afghan defence personnel on operations.

In the past, India has transferred non-lethal equipment, including vehicles, transport choppers, communication equipment and medical supplies to Afghanistan. However India is a major training partner with Kabul sending across cadets for various courses as well as basic officers training programs.

India is currently in the process of retiring its Mi 25 chopper fleet that are being replaced with newer generation Apache choppers that have already been contracted from the US this year under a government-to-government deal.


The Mi 25 transfer is the second helicopter dispatch to take place this year. In April, India delivered three military choppers to Kabul weeks ahead of the first visit by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani. The three Cheetal utility helicopters were manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited ( HAL) with Afghan pilots and technicians trained to operate them.


Mi 25 attack helicopter gifted by India to Afghanistan reaches Kabul, 3 more to follow - The Economic Times

@PARIKRAMA @anant_s @FrenchPilot @Aminroop @Nilgiri @MilSpec @nair @SpArK @AUSTERLITZ @ayesha.a @Joe Shearer @Capt.Popeye @500 @SR-91 @Dash @Agent_47 @Skull and Bones @Guynextdoor2 @Bang Galore @hinduguy @ranjeet @Star Wars

How did they deliver? Via Iran?

 

[Nilgiri]

How did they deliver? Via Iran?

You betcha.

 

[Abingdonboy]

How did they deliver? Via Iran?

You betcha.

They flew in themselves? I'm sure they could have been taken in in one of the IAF's C-17s/IL-76s.

 

[Nilgiri]

They flew in themselves? I'm sure they could have been taken in in one of the IAF's C-17s/IL-76s.

Yes it would be the latter. Either way have to fly "via" Iran

 

[Levina]

Thanks for the tag.

This is an interesting development.
I remember, a similar request was rejected by the UPA govt in 2013.
Back then, US had bought some smaller helicopters for Afghanistan Air Force from Russia, which came to an abrupt end after Ukraine was attacked.
So now that India has gifted these attack helicopters to Afghnaistan, then the decision has both Russia and US's consent. This also sends a strong message to Islamabad.
Brace up Taliban!!!

 

[Abingdonboy]

Yes it would be the latter. Either way have to fly "via" Iran

Pakistan doesn't allow India to use its airspace for transit?

 

[Nilgiri]

Pakistan doesn't allow India to use its airspace for transit?

Not for military aircraft no. India wouldn't send it over their airspace even if they did.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Thanks for the tag.

This is an interesting development.
I remember, a similar request was rejected by the UPA govt in 2013.
Back then, US had bought some smaller helicopters for Afghanistan Air Force from Russia, which came to an abrupt end after Ukraine was attacked.
So now that India has gifted these attack helicopters to Afghnaistan, then the decision has both Russia and US's consent. This also sends a strong message to Islamabad.
Brace up Taliban!!!

The UPA had rejected a long list of offensive weaponary requested by Afghanistan- yet more strategic opportunties missed.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

I feel India

1. should take a base in Afghanistan,
2. place a squadron of old fighter jets there and may be Mig 21/27s.. (later can be Su30 MKIs if we have enough to spares)
3. have helos there with a AN32 transport craft for local ops...
4. Place more attack helos
5. Send in at least 5000 odd soldiers
6. Jeeps armed

We can say all that for protecting our Chabahar port to Afghan route and also help Afghanistan military
In chabahar

1. Place IN folks and a ship 24x7
2. Another transport plane
3. helos
4. 2000 odd troops
5. Jeeps armed
6. Old fix wing jets 21s/27s in an small airstrip (?) (tough as iranians may not agree)
7. Enough for our ACC visits or sub visit for replenishment and strategic coverage

This way we help Afghanistan folks fight against "terror" and also protect our investments...
May be this way we can get 5 ACC plan implemented... 1 in stand by, 1 in arabian sea, 1 in Bay of bengal, 1 in Andaman & Nicobar and 1 in perhaps around Chabahar - Mauritius route...

Perhaps helps in power projection ala Ajit Doval style...

I can wish right...

 

[Abingdonboy]

I feel India

1. should take a base in Afghanistan,
2. place a squadron of old fighter jets there and may be Mig 21/27s.. (later can be Su30 MKIs if we have enough to spares)
3. have helos there with a AN32 transport craft for local ops...
4. Place more attack helos
5. Send in at least 5000 odd soldiers
6. Jeeps armed

We can say all that for protecting our Chabahar port to Afghan route and also help Afghanistan military
In chabahar

1. Place IN folks and a ship 24x7
2. Another transport plane
3. helos
4. 2000 odd troops
5. Jeeps armed
6. Old fix wing jets 21s/27s in an small airstrip (?) (tough as iranians may not agree)
7. Enough for our ACC visits or sub visit for replenishment and strategic coverage

This way we help Afghanistan folks fight against "terror" and also protect our investments...
May be this way we can get 5 ACC plan implemented... 1 in stand by, 1 in arabian sea, 1 in Bay of bengal, 1 in Andaman & Nicobar and 1 in perhaps around Chabahar - Mauritius route...

Perhaps helps in power projection ala Ajit Doval style...

I can wish right...

Are you aware of the IAF SF deployment to Afghanistan alongside these assets bro?

 

[surya kiran]

@PARIKRAMA forget all this. Just place couple of the old Jags. They will be brilliant for the terrain.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Are you aware of the IAF SF deployment to Afghanistan alongside these assets bro?

Whoa thats news me... Special forces you mean Garud.. that would be awesome.. Those guys are dangerous hunters.. The limited pics i have seen and heard makes me understand that they are black team for "wet" work specialists..

Normally i keep hearing we will send troops for "UN" led peace missions..

Dont know why we did not join Russian side in war against ISIS.. 4 Su30 MKI 4 jags and a transport bird.. 9 birds and bombs away campaign.. live exercise.. live data and long term geo political benefit...

@PARIKRAMA forget all this. Just place couple of the old Jags. They will be brilliant for the terrain.

I second that.. I wanted jags also for fight against ISIS by teaming up with Russia...as i posted above

 

[Abingdonboy]

I feel India

1. should take a base in Afghanistan,
2. place a squadron of old fighter jets there and may be Mig 21/27s.. (later can be Su30 MKIs if we have enough to spares)
3. have helos there with a AN32 transport craft for local ops...
4. Place more attack helos
5. Send in at least 5000 odd soldiers
6. Jeeps armed

We can say all that for protecting our Chabahar port to Afghan route and also help Afghanistan military
In chabahar

1. Place IN folks and a ship 24x7
2. Another transport plane
3. helos
4. 2000 odd troops
5. Jeeps armed
6. Old fix wing jets 21s/27s in an small airstrip (?) (tough as iranians may not agree)
7. Enough for our ACC visits or sub visit for replenishment and strategic coverage

This way we help Afghanistan folks fight against "terror" and also protect our investments...
May be this way we can get 5 ACC plan implemented... 1 in stand by, 1 in arabian sea, 1 in Bay of bengal, 1 in Andaman & Nicobar and 1 in perhaps around Chabahar - Mauritius route...

Perhaps helps in power projection ala Ajit Doval style...

I can wish right...

I think the deplyoment of some Jags to Farkhor would be very welcome and effective.

Whoa thats news me... Special forces you mean Garud.. that would be awesome.. Those guys are dangerous hunters.. The limited pics i have seen and heard makes me understand that they are black team for "wet" work specialists..

Indeed Garuds, remember that FAC is a key part of their skillset.

Dont know why we did not join Russian side in war against ISIS.. 4 Su30 MKI 4 jags and a transport bird.. 9 birds and bombs away campaign.. live exercise.. live data and long term geo political benefit...

At a time when India is trying harder than ever to balance relationships it makes sense for India to keep itself out of that particular mess. Joining the fight with Russia would mean straining Indo-US ties, that said I do think that sooner or later the ISIS fight will be at India's door- watch India's Western neighbour.