PAKISTANI OFFICIAL MENTIONS POSSIBLE HELICOPTER DEAL WITH RUSSIA

[nadeemkhan110]

A Kazakh Mi-171. The photo was taken by USAF and posted to Wikipedia.
PAKISTANI OFFICIAL MENTIONS POSSIBLE HELICOPTER DEAL WITH RUSSIA

In an interview with the state-owned Radio Pakistan, the Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman, Nafees Zakaria, stated that a ‘military helicopter’ deal with Russia is to be concluded ‘soon.’

Notes & Comments:

It is not clear if Mr. Zakaria was referring to the existing order of four Mi-35s, which are scheduled to be delivered to the Pakistan Army in 2017, or a follow-on order of Mi-35s (or other helicopters).

Pakistan does operate many Mi-17/171 transport helicopters (46 as per Flight Global) and the Army had reportedly expressed interest in the Mi-28NE dedicated attack helicopter (IHS Jane’s).

Additional Mi-171 and/or Mi-35 orders are plausible, especially since the Army had reportedly expressed interest (to IHS Jane’s) in procuring a total of up to 20 Mi-35s.

Source: http://quwa.org/2016/12/20/pakistani-official-mentions-possible-helicopter-deal-with-russia/

 

[CriticalThought]

A formation of attack and transport helis bearing special forces in the immediate aftermath of an aerial assault is a deadly spearhead to pierce the enemy's underbelly and make him bleed.

There are multiple related scenarios. Substitute special forces with regular troops and increase the overall size of the force and you get an agile, nimble expeditionary force that can be used to capture and hold ground. Add something like Chinookd carrying heavy weaponry and you get a formidable assault force.

I envisage heavy usage in the mountains.

It would be nice if the army is also looking at both transport and attack helis for siachen like environments. They should make transportation much more easier. Add stealth qualities and the ability to navigate in severe snowstorms, and you are looking at a veritable force multiplier.