Two new combat helicopters have entered service with the army of the African Republic of Mali. The vehicles are designed to fight terrorist groups in the desert areas of the country.
According to Military Watch, the Government of Mali called the receipt of modern types of military equipment and weapons "the fruit of a sincere partnership" with Russia. The intensification of military cooperation occurred after the withdrawal of foreign military contingents from the country, including French military personnel. It is also reported that helicopters have been provided to the African country as military assistance.
Military transport helicopters Mi-17, which are an export version of the Mi-8, are supposedly delivered to Mali. The helicopter can reach speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour. The practical range is 950 kilometers. The ceiling is five thousand meters. The crew is two people.
Depending on the modification, the Mi-17 can carry 32 soldiers or 12 stretchers with escorts, or 4,000 kilograms of cargo in the cockpit or 3,000 kilograms of cargo on a suspension. The helicopter is armed with a 12.7 mm Afanasyev machine gun. The combat load is 1500 kilograms: unguided missiles, aerial bombs or cannon containers.
According to the publication, Mali has six Russian combat helicopters in service: two Mi-24D and four Mi-35M.
Nikolay Grishchenko
