Article Posted on : - Jun 07, 2011

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian helicopter producer Rosvertol is in talks with Algeria to sell its Mi-28NE attack helicopters.

The company, a wing of the state-owned Russian Helicopters holding company, has sent a commercial proposal to sell the helicopters to Algeria.

“A commercial proposal has already been sent (to Algiers) and discussions will begin this year,” Rosvertol General Director Boris Slyusar was quoted as saying by Ria Novosti.

“We hope to sign a contract for delivery in 2012-2017,” the official added.

If the deal goes through, then this will be the second export deal for the all-weather night-capable Mi-28NE which is presently being introduced in the Russian Air Force, the news report said.

Venezuela had ordered 10 such choppers in 2010 which are yet to be delivered.

The Mi-28NE ‘Night Hunter’ is the latest variant of Mi-28 attack helicopter family. It has been designed to carry out hunter-killer missions against enemy main battle tanks, helicopters, ground forces and armoured equipment.

The helicopter is armed with a 30mm 2A42 gun with 250 ready-to-fire rounds mounted under the nose, 23mm gun pods, up to 16 9M114, 9M120 and 9M120F anti-tank missiles, infrared-guided Igla air-to-air missiles, 80mm and 122mm unguided rockets.

The two-seat chopper has advanced night vision optical systems and it also features mast-mounted millimeter-wave fire control radar and state-of-the-art avionics.