16.08.2019.

Minister Vulin: „Vučić’s Flying Tanks“

A delegation of the Ministry of Defense, led by Minister Aleksandar Vulin, visited the Mi-35M helicopter factory “Rostvertol“ in Rostov-on-Don.
Minister Vulin met with the management of the Aviation Institute, attended a static display of four Mi-35M helicopters to be delivered to Serbian Armed Forces and a demonstration flight.

“Due to the policy of President Vučić, due to the austerity of the policy and the fast that our country can finally allocate funding for the latest assets, we have come into possession of the best helicopters in the world. They are not only new, they are the best in the world in their class. This of course comes hand in hand with the improvement of the material position of the pilot, the fight staff all that President Vučić, as the Supreme Commander, has ordered to be done. The Serbian Armed Forces have acquired a completely new capability, something that we have been unable to do so far, and all those who refer to these helicopters as “Vučić’s flying tanks” are right. These are the flying tanks and these are the capabilities able to protect our space, the capabilities able reinforce the combat readiness of our country” said Minister Vulin.

The Minister emphasized that we are very proud of this, but went on to say that the arming of Serbia should not be cause for concern for anyone.
“Serbia will continue to arm and equip itself and continue to implement the military-technical agreement reached between President Vučić and President Putin, which makes us truly proud and grateful, yet these weapons will never be abused. These weapons are meant for the purposes of upholding peace only and deterring anyone who deems possible to address Serbia using force,” Minister Vulin said.

Following the meeting with the members of the Serbian Armed Forces who are undergoing training at the Russian Federation, the Minister said that we are now faced with an asset we are using for the first time.

“These are among the prime state-of-the-art systems around the world. So far we have had the opportunity to use systems manufactured or technologically formulated in the age of the Soviet Union, and these are helicopters that are modern, ready and safe and which, like the H-145M, assume the title of being the best in their class in the world. As you can see, our men are exceptional, the hosts are full of praise for them, they say they learn fast and can quickly acquire and master the new knowledge. We can be proud of them and rest assured they would use this capability in the best possible way. No one can remember the last time that we had a new capability or the latest one at our disposal. This is a huge change,” Minister Vulin concluded.

Major Dobrosav Drndarević, Commander of 714 Anti-Armor Helicopter Squadron from Kraljevo, referring to the Mi-35M helicopter characteristics emphasized that the differences were immense compared to what they previously had available and what they had flown so far.

“One of those differences is the helicopter equipment and the instruments themselves – passing from the analogue to the digital. The other difference is that we get a lot both technically and technologically and now we have the ability to perform our tasks and what we are meant for, and that is combat engagement in both day and night conditions as well as in complex meteorological conditions. We also get an additional level of protection since the helicopter is shielded – the main systems, the motor, the rotor, as well as the protection of the cockpit and the pilots themselves. There is the capability of longer distance engagement and yes, I can say that we can operate both day and night, because the helicopter is equipped with thermal imaging, television and night-vision goggles – Major Drndarević pointed out, adding that such equipment makes the pilot’s job much easier.

He pointed out that that the helicopter is primarily intended for anti-armor combat, but is also capable of a full range of other tasks it can perform, such as transporting personnel, cargo and reconnaissance form the air.

Captain Miloš Milošević, a technology expert with the Company for Maintenance of 98 Airborne Brigade stressed that Mi-35M is a type of helicopter the likes of which has never been used by our units before.

- The systems are new, they are much more demanding, more advanced; but they are also more reliable and this ushers a whole new range of possibilities to us – new experiences, new books, new instructions, new manuals, and thus we are in for a lot of work – Captain Milošević, who is responsible for maintenance of aircraft at “Lađevci”, pointed out.

The Mi-35M helicopter can transport up to eight soldiers in full combat gear and weapons up to 1.500kg of payload, while i can carry cargo of large dimensions using special ropes and cables. The helicopter crew, pilot and pilot operator, are housed in tandem cockpits, with double controls, and the aircraft has armor that protects both the crew and vital parts of the helicopter.

The capabilities against guided missiles include systems for passive and active self-defense. Fuel tanks are coated with a material that prevents fuel leakage and explosion during impact, and systems to reduce infrared reflection of the motor exhaust pipes. The Mi-35M helicopter features the latest generation of avionics and offensive navigation systems, an optoelectronic aiming system, as well as self defense systems that provide combat use of the helicopter in all weather conditions, day or night.

Supreme combat characteristics are also reflected in the maximum speed of 310 kilometers per hour and operational altitude of 5.400m as well as up to 460km of normal flight range. With additional fuel tanks it can remain in flight for up to 1.085 km.

As for the weapons, 23mm cannon has been mounted on the helicopter in a revolving turret and linked to the fire control system. It can carry a wide range of weapons on each wing including an additional 23mm cannon, 80mm non-guided missiles and state-of-the-art long-range guided missiles.