Russia forward deploys new attack helicopters in Syria

[Zarvan]

Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery showing Russian helicopters deployed to Al-Shayrat Air Base in Syria on 31 March. Source: CNES 2016, Distribution Airbus DS / 2016 / IHS

Russia has forward deployed its new attack helicopters in Syria to bring them closer to one of the main fronts in the current offensive against Islamic State militants.

Airbus Defence & Space satellite imagery shows that there were four Ka-52 Alligator and three Mi-28N Night Hunter helicopters deployed to Al-Shayrat Air Base, 30 km southeast of Homs city, on 31 March. Al-Shayrat has previously been used as a forward base for Russian Mi-24 and Mi-35 helicopters, four of which could be seen at the base on 31 March.

The Ka-52s and Mi-28Ns were first spotted at Humaymim, the main Russian air base in Syria, in news footage released on 17 March, but Russia has not revealed how many have been deployed.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has released infrared footage filmed by the Mi-28Ns as they carry out precision strikes with either 9M114 Shturm/Kokon or 9M120 Ataka missiles.

A still from Russian news footage shows one of the two Ka-52s that was seen carrying out rocket attacks on the outskirts of Al-Qaryatayn. (RT)

Russian news networks broadcast footage on 5 April showing two Ka-52s repeatedly hitting positions on the outskirts of Al-Qaryatayn, a town 42 km southeast of Al-Shayrat, with rockets. The Syrian government announced on 3 April that its forces had "fully restored security and stability" to the town after killing the remaining Islamic State fighters there.

In addition to the powerful air group at Al-Shayrat, Russia has deployed attack helicopters to Tiyas Air Base, 67 km to the east.

The Abkhazian News Network Agency (ANNA) released footage on 3 April showing two Russian Mi-24P attack helicopters and one Mi-8 utility helicopter taking off from Tiyas. At least one of the Mi-24Ps carried missiles.

Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery shows there were three Mi-24/35s and one Mi-8/17 at Tiyas Air Base on 31 March. The Mi-8/17 has not moved since at least December 2015, suggesting it is a non-operational Syrian aircraft.

A battery of six 122 mm 2A18 (D-30) howitzers have been deployed in the north of the air base.

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Russia forward deploys new attack helicopters in Syria | IHS Jane's 360