Mi-35M helicopter has been given a new name: Sabre

In April 2010 Rostvertol plc delegation headed by Director-General Mr. Boris N. Slyusar participated in a grand ceremony on the occasion of Mi-35M handing over to Brazilian Air Force; it was the first batch of Russian-made combat helicopters adopted by Brazilian squadrons.

The ceremony took place at Porto Velho airbase.

The following persons attended the ceremony: Mr. Nelson Jobim, Minister of Defence of Brazil, Mr. Juniti Saito, AF Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General, Mr. Nikolay P. Patrushev, Security Council Secretary, Mr. Sergey P. Akopov, the Ambassador of RF in Brazil, Mr. Anatoly P. Isaikin, Director-General of FSUE Rosoboronexport. Mr. Nelson Jobim stated that these helicopters have become a part of Brazilian nation heritage. “Our helicopter divisions have been strengthened by these rotorcraft” – said the Minister of Defence and “baptized” Mi-35M helicopters, which were given the name of Sabre AH-2 (saber stands for sword).

New helicopters will be based at Porto Velho airbase, state of Rondonia and adopted by Poti squadron which belongs to the 8-th aviation group of the second air division.

As it was reported by Brazilian mass media Sabre is the first ever combat helicopter received by Brazilian Air Force. Before H-50 Esquilo was used as an attack rotorcraft which is actually a commercial helicopter re-equipped for combat application. It is quite different the case with Sabre because it was designed as a military aircraft.

New armament system adopted by Brazilian AF features many capabilities which Brazilian pilots have not been familiar with so far. Mi-35M is capable to perform wide range of missions, including combat application of guided and unguided armament in simple and adverse weather conditions.

The helicopter is amour-plated with a 23-mm double-barrel gun and APU-8/4-U missile launcher. 9K113K anti-tank armament complex includes OPS-24N observation-sighting system and GOES-342 gyro-stabilized optical-electronic station. Mi-35M Lights have been adopted for night vision goggles both of Russian and foreign production. Mi-35M has got an X-shaped tail rotor which improves direction controllability of a helicopter and decreases helicopter signature. Mi-35M has a new rotor system with composite-made blades that ensures longer life and combat survivability.

“I don’t feel nervous anymore” – said lieutenant Leonardo Bezerra Salim, one the pilots from Poti squadron who has already got the feel of new helicopters. “It’s a new step in operational deployment which has been anticipated by many generations of pilots”.

Sabre helicopters will improve the ability to response to threat immediately and strengthen Brazilian Air Force in the area of Amazon outfall. This area is of a big strategic importance for the nation. New aircraft will be used for air patrolling and supporting land troops fighting with trespassers in border area. Brazilian Air Force Command transferred Poti squadron from Recife (state of Pernambuku) to Porto Velho specially for the adaptation of helicopters.

“We will keep Amazonian region safe both for us and the whole world and it is known nationwide” – so the Minister of Defence of Brazil. “Poti squadron armed with newest AH-2 Sabre will become the most powerful mean of protection. From today we are ready to resist any threat” – emphasized Mr. Jobim.

Source: Rosvertol