With due respect sir, Mi-24's time has gone past. Do you remember that over 360 helos were knocked down by Mujahideen many of which were hinds..
my focus is only COIN
I knew that Mujahideen magic will be thrown on my face without the magic ingredient commonly known as Stinger. the Afghans called them Satanic chariot for a reason.
unless TTP is externally supplied with those shoulder fired missiles nothing can bring them down. these beasts are immune to pretty much what TTP can throw at it. at best they have used 14.5 mm (shilka) they got from Afghanistan (northern alliance or Indians). apart from that whatever has brought down Cobras (much lighter craft) will bring down T-129 and Z-10 as well.
Mi24 is in because of its simple and brutal design .. painfully ugly, horrifically armed to teeth, surprisingly fast with the added bonus of troops transportation.
as for bygone era goes, our Bell Heuy armed with an MG-1A3 are of a relic of the past.. you cant get more more past date than that. but they are doing their job and thats all we got to cover for over used cobras. Mi 24's single sortie is equal to many cobras and can even cover for PAF jets except for laser guided precion strikes.
incidentally, my views are not just hot air... this view is shared by a close family friend who has been reinstated in the army, he is part of special task force and is flying cobra gunships.. you can bet whenever there are news of Cobra strikes on taliban... he has scored few kills.
before the Taliban get some game changers (MANPADs) its time we dont do have time or money to fantasize over something we cant get. time is running out.
that said, chances of getting Mi 24 are also not that bright either. Russia is not giving these up anyway.
Perhaps Mi-28N ???
It's comparatively cost effective.
where did you get this picture from? how is it possible? why did you do that to me?
why Russians even allowed us to take picture with that?
that pure masturbation and overkill
too good to be true.