The government has received a draft contract sent by Russia on the delivery of four Mi-35M combat helicopters, defence sources said. "After lengthy negotiations with Russia on purchase of helicopters, a draft contract on the delivery of four Mi-35M gunships was finally received by the government. Pakistan is now studying the document," sources said. Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has been engaged in talks with the Pakistani side on the delivery of helicopters.
The deal was possible after Russia lifted its embargo on the delivery of armaments and military hardware to Pakistan last year and began negotiations on the delivery of helicopters. Ministry of Finance is said to have already made an allocation of $750 million (approximately Rs 7.5 billion) special development package for the Army in the current fiscal year for purchase of four Russia- made Mi-35 Helicopters and other military equipment. A summary in this respect will be put before the National Security Council (NSC) for final approval.
Finance Division and Economic Affairs Division and the army would together negotiate financing arrangements with the relevant countries and financial institutions etc. The down payment for such procurements shall be accepted to be the minimum but not more than 10 percent of $750 million. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Raheel Sharif held a meeting on February 26, 2015 during which the Finance Minister suggested that the requirement of 4 Mi-35 Assault Helicopter may be met by Pakistan Army out of the special development package.
Pakistan currently has several Mi-17 helicopters from the United States as assistance in the fight against militants. The Mi-35M is a modernised version of the Mi-24 (Hind) attack helicopter with new avionics and onboard equipment, a different tail rotor and a more powerful engine. Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif visited Russia this week to attend a Russian military equipments exhibition. During his three-day stay in Moscow, General Sharif met the top Russian civil and military leadership. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also expected to travel to Russia in the next few weeks for a multilateral conference. In the last two years, the two countries exchanged high-level visits, including ministers of power, energy, petroleum, finance, defence, foreign affairs, the army chief, and the chiefs of other services.
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