CONFIRMED: Mi-35M Going-To-Be the Dedicated Attack Helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force!

Bangladesh Air Force apparently finalized the candidate for the dedicated attack helicopter program. And, it will be the Russian Helicopters Mi-35M. This helicopter is a combat proven rotary wing platform and can carry 8 troops too.

Initially eight examples will be delivered to the BAF. Acquiring Mi-35M helicopters will reduce maintenance burdens of the BD Air Force because there are a fleet of 35 Mi-171Sh which also has some same components as the Mi-35M. Bangladesh will use these helicopters to provide close-air-support to the ground troops. 

Mi-35M can carry 8 troops or 4 stretchers on its external sling. Total payload is about 2400kgs. On its external hardpoints Mi-35M can carry various bombs, anti-tank guided missiles, multiple-ejector racks, guided-unguided rockets and submunitions/mines. 

This helicopter will surely boost Bangladesh Air Force’s anti-armor warfare capability to a new height. Especially Myanmar military must reconsider hundred times before deploying troops near Bangladeshi border. Recent relation between these two countries heated up because of the Rohingya genocide by the Myanmar military forces in the rakhine state.