Russia ready to sell four Mi-35 helicopters to Pakistan: report

E-Paper | March 04, 2026

MOSCOW: A draft contract for the delivery of four Mi-35M 'Hind E' combat helicopters has been sent to Pakistan from Russia, a source in the Russian military and technical cooperation said on Wednesday, according to a report published on TASS news agency's website.

"Following the results of the talks held earlier on helicopters, which Pakistan would like to get from Russia, a draft contract on the delivery of four Mi-35M gunships has been sent to the Pakistani side. Pakistan is now studying the document," the source said.

According to Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, talks between Russia and Pakistan are under way regarding the delivery of helicopters. However, Rosoboronexport declined to reveal details regarding these consultations.

Last year, CEO of Russia's Rostec hi-tech corporation Sergey Chemezov said that Russia had lifted its embargo on delivery of military hardware and armaments to Pakistan and negotiations were being held on delivering helicopters.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry also said that both sides have been negotiating the delivery of helicopters and that Pakistan currently has a number of Mi-17 helicopters delivered by the United States to assist in the fight against militancy.

The Mi-35M helicopter is an exceedingly modernised version of Mi-24 (Hind) combat helicopter with new onboard equipment and avionics. It also has a more powerful engine and a different tail rotor.

Also read: Deal with Russia for purchase of Mi-35 attack helicopters on the cards

Pakistan and Russia had signed a bilateral defence cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening military-to-military relations in November last year. The deal had to be followed by another ‘technical cooperation agreement’ to pave the way for sale of defence equipment to Pakistan.

Besides helicopters, Pakistan also appears interested in other Russian hardware.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday spent about 15 hours at an arms expo near Moscow that featured Russia’s cutting edge weapons and military equipment. He inspected not only the weapon systems on display but also saw their live demonstration.

“The army chief spent whole of June 16 witnessing dynamic defence expo. Highly impressive display of all types of arms, aircraft, and helis,” military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Bajwa, who accompanied the army chief on the Russia visit, tweeted.

Also read: Deal to sell MI-35 helicopters 'politically approved': Russian envoy

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Zak

Jun 18, 2015 01:25pm

We should not just buy equipment but also need transfer of technology too , better option than buying Russian equipment is to jointly produce these kinds of helicopters with Chinese assistance in Pakistan itself that way we can easily repair and maintain spares and not be at mercy of Russia like India is and can export these to other countries too.

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Sami

Jun 18, 2015 01:38pm

@Zak We should stop buy weapons and concentrate on social development and infrastructure. we already have enough to tackle terrorists.

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Irfan

Jun 18, 2015 01:38pm

These attack helicopters are much needed for the operations against insurgents in tribal areas.

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Sher Ajmal

Jun 18, 2015 01:44pm

We need to have good relations and cooperation with Russia. Why we don't have cooperation with Russia. I wonder why is our foreign policy is so unclear.

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S. Lalani

Jun 18, 2015 01:45pm

Good job by our Army Chief. Let's diversify our defense requirements to reduce our dependence of USA.

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Khan1857

Jun 18, 2015 01:53pm

No country can produce all types of weaponry without support from partner countries. Not even United States (gets technical support from Britain, Europe etc). So a good decision by establishment to buy this from Russia. Its about time Pakistan and Russia build ties again and start working towards the betterment of each other.

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TechnoKraft

Jun 18, 2015 02:04pm

Pakistan Army must do whatever needed to become no 1 in the world. Until then efforts must continue. It very important for Pakistan to get Russian equipment I'm order to balance out its inventory which should be a strategic mix

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Shahzadshazshaikh7@gmail.com

Jun 18, 2015 02:10pm

@Zak if you have time do get in touch with me. Thanks Shahzad

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DisparateAamer

Jun 18, 2015 02:12pm

Good news. Acquisition of advance technology is very important. We should purchase defence hardware that can't wait and put rest of focus on building infrastructure, mainly highways, and fighting corruption. This will make economy strong and generate funds for education, healthcare, etc

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NYS

Jun 18, 2015 02:17pm

Good Job COAS. !

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Abdullah

Jun 18, 2015 02:21pm

Nice to see shift in foreign policy paradigm, this shows positive image building of Pakistan worldwide.

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Human

Jun 18, 2015 02:25pm

@Sher Ajmal because Russia and India r like Pakistan and China.....

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Abdul Khader

Jun 18, 2015 02:27pm

Any (classified) strings attached with this recent purchase?

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imdadali

Jun 18, 2015 02:33pm

the credit goes to our army chief of this deal. we should extend bilateral cooperation with russia

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Arslan

Jun 18, 2015 02:38pm

Good job to the Army for developing new ties with Russia. 4 Heli's will lay the foundation for more equipment to come. We should focus on Chinese equipment and ToT. But Mi-35 is one of its kind. A transport and attack helicopter. 100 Mi-35 would be enough as a transport helicopter for Pakistan Army, Navy and Air-force. Some should also be handed to police in tribal areas to provide cover to police during fighting with insurgency and evacuation of injured.

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imdadali

Jun 18, 2015 02:39pm

the credit goes to our army chief of this deal. we should extend bilateral cooperation with russia

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saleem hatoum

Jun 18, 2015 02:40pm

@Sami What is all this social and other developments? Have you seen a paisa worth of spent on this sectors?

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El Cid

Jun 18, 2015 02:46pm

These 'copters are effective only against unarmed villagers. Against a professional military they will all be shot down within fifteen minutes or less.

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Fact

Jun 18, 2015 02:48pm

Funny, only 4 Helicopters, why not more

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Ahmed Raza

Jun 18, 2015 02:52pm

This will eliminate Polio, Poverty and all water related problems very quickly

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Maqbool Bhat

Jun 18, 2015 02:56pm

@Zak First think of food, shelter and water

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Blue Saffron

Jun 18, 2015 02:58pm

This is all well and good. However, unless we secure our borders and control budmashi within the country these choppers can only help you so much.

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Abdulla Hussain

Jun 18, 2015 03:16pm

@Sami .. To survive in today's changing world order & to counter internal & external threats an effective conventional arms inventory is most essential. Pakistan has a well defined external threat that is quite visible. Keep in mind it is not only terrorism that Pakistan has to handle.

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Trv

Jun 18, 2015 03:17pm

Russia is going to make that in India

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Abdulla Hussain

Jun 18, 2015 03:21pm

USA is a good friend but its roller coaster attitude towards Pakistan is draining confidence from the hearts of the common people as well as the peoples in authority. US has to take practical steps to reduce this deficit.

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Muhammad Ahmad Aziz

Jun 18, 2015 03:48pm

Oh boy, this is good. The Mi-35 is an amazingly versatile, rugged and reliable helicopter, being a combination of attack and transport. Perfect for deployment against our Taliban problem. Hopefully, we can get more in the future.

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Blue Saffron

Jun 18, 2015 03:50pm

Only 4? Peanuts! One for each Province?!

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Shakeel

Jun 18, 2015 03:56pm

@Sami Countries who don't invest in their military end up like Iraq, Syria, Libya. The only reason Pakistan hasn't be torn to shreds by terrorists or the Indians is because we have a strong military which makes that hard to do.

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M.Saeed

Jun 18, 2015 04:07pm

Pakistan had recently obtained 26 used 26 Bell 412EP utility helicopters from the US forces withdrawing from Afghanistan, along with their maintenance and parts valued at $235 million. That makes a unit cost of about $9 million.

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Mujtaba Iftikhar

Jun 18, 2015 04:13pm

@Sher Ajmal, There is no issue from Pakistan. Russia put an embargo on Pakistan due to her relation with India. It is economic, you as a seller would prefer to accommodate a client who buys 10 time more than another client. India doesn't want Pakistan to have access to these hardware since Pak will use against then so it is all big political game. I wish we can ignore military hardware and concentrate on Economic and education development.

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savita bhabi

Jun 18, 2015 04:18pm

purchase helicopter is not new but building dam is good to hear and good news

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Sunil

Jun 18, 2015 04:41pm

Why not buying from the Chinese, they have recently introduced attack helicopters, may be cheaper then these MI-35.

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Zak

Jun 18, 2015 04:49pm

@Sunil Russia want to show their displeasure against India , hence this deal, India is getting closer to US and even signed a deal for co-research and production of weapons with US and Russia does not like it one bit.

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M. Asghar

Jun 18, 2015 04:53pm

Buying the helicopters from Russia is a part of the geopolitical game being played in the region.

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shakil

Jun 18, 2015 05:02pm

good move, hope the engines for JF-17 can now be directly imported from Russia and some sort of transfer of technology as well!

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Shahid

Jun 18, 2015 05:05pm

Why only four, wasn't it reported to be a case of 15 helicopters of the kind?

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Euro

Jun 18, 2015 05:32pm

What is a big country like Pakistan going to do with only 4 copters?

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Pady

Jun 18, 2015 05:49pm

It is Russian way to express displeasure against India...!!

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Akram

Jun 18, 2015 07:18pm

@Sher Ajmal you need to read history my friend, Russia was not our friend because they were arming the indians until recently, we also fought the Russian red army in Afghanistan, hence the troubled history between us.

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Akashwani

Jun 18, 2015 07:45pm

From Russia with Love..

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kirther

Jun 18, 2015 08:05pm

Pakistan must diversify it sources and should pay more emphasis on transfer of technology/joint production.

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Wasi

Jun 18, 2015 08:16pm

Starting a new era of military cooperation with Russia is a good step towards Pak Russia relations, moreover it is also a message being conveyed to USA that we are not dependent on them entirely and other options are also open to us.

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Jun 18, 2015 08:28pm

Start making nuclear high speed locomotives.

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Shakil

Jun 18, 2015 08:35pm

MI-35 is a flying bull, too heavy anti-gorilla warfare. Pakistan need better Russian weapons like KA-50 or KA-52 which is much more maneuverable and advanced than MI-35. Pakistan Air Force must take a look at SU-34 bombers for Naval Air Superiority.

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brmurr

Jun 18, 2015 08:41pm

@Zak Now, why would Russia do that when they need to provide jobs for their own people?

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delta Oscar charlie

Jun 18, 2015 08:45pm

This helicopter is a veteran of Afghan war were it took stinger missiles and still flew, it's armoured , can hit back and can carry passengers , somthing the cobra gunship can't. It's for VVIP transport in dangerous areas as there has been a helicopter down with international casualties so this is only four in number as that's what needed to fly VIP.

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manu

Jun 18, 2015 09:23pm

Was Pakistan created to be a security state or welfare state? Will this deal help in welfare of poor people? My country India too is doing the same mistake as Pakistan is doing, and many other foolish countries too. The only companies who will profit form this is defence companies and will increase the GDP of arms exporters such as Russia, America and China and make them rich.

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Omar

Jun 18, 2015 11:46pm

They tried and tested helicopters but 4 is not enough, more like 40 are required at the very least!

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Pak patriot

Jun 19, 2015 12:36am

We should be opting for the latest version of the Mi-35M, with the latest avionics. Our Pak Army COAS Gen Raheel Sharif has a lot of energy and is always up and about, not glued to his office chair. Gen. Raheel Sharif we are very proud of you, as our Army Chief.

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marcus

Jun 19, 2015 02:17am

Pakistan really needs to push hard at getting foreign investment into the country. It also needs to focus on educating its people which will benefit the country in the long run. Understandably before social and economic development can take place Pakistan needs to clean its house otherwise no matter how much money is poured into the country it will be wasted. So overall good move.

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xenia

Jun 19, 2015 02:37am

@Euro Reverse Engineering

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Mustafa

Jun 19, 2015 03:50am

@Ahmed Raza; 'This will eliminate Polio, Poverty and all water related problems very quickly' No, this will will not eliminate these problems, your posting comments will.

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Canada For Canadians

Jun 19, 2015 05:57am

So happy to know Pakistan is getting more weapons and now from Russia. It will help against terror and if India even tries to cross the border, Pakistan will be ready. Historically good defense equipment,F16s quality US weapons left from Afghanistan, Chinese top of the lines makes Pakistan very glad. Even if it is at the expense of education, development, research or help for the poor or creating manufacturing base.

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Mustafa

Jun 19, 2015 06:12am

This deal is of paramount symbolic importance. New alliances are taking shape to cater to the birth of the Asian Century.

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zorkor

Jun 19, 2015 06:46am

This is great news. Making our defense stronger and more efficient is a need of this time considering the terrorist threats we are facing and daily threats from Indian politicians. We need to be prepared at all times. We have cunning enemies on both sides.

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Alina

Jun 19, 2015 09:27am

@manu These helicopters will help defend our civilians from terrorists. Is that not a worthy cause to spend money on?

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Ali

Jun 19, 2015 04:58pm

We shouldnot buy their rubbish old garbage. we already have alot of russian bought old helicopter's incidents,and have lost many lives

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