Russia delivered combat helicopters to Serbia ahead of schedule
Four new Russian Mi-35 helicopters arrived today at the Batajnica military airfield near Belgrade in Serbia, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
The Mi-35 is a highly qualified modernization of the most famous Soviet combat helicopter, the Mi-24, or “Crocodile”. This air vehicle is used to destroy enemy tanks and armored vehicles, and it also provides assistance to infantry and airborne troops (fire support and removal of the wounded). The modernized Mi-35 is a multi-role attack helicopter. It is capable of performing complex tasks in all weather conditions. At the forefront of armament are the GSh-23L double-barreled artillery mount (23 mm caliber) and Sturm (anti-tank) missiles.
Russia transferred military equipment to Serbia ahead of schedule. The new helicopters were expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2020.
“This may seem incredible, especially given the fact that the Russian company Rostvertol from Rostov-on-Don is working with a reduced number of employees. And, at the same time, there has been a significant increase in contractual obligations to domestic and foreign clients.
However, if we remember the close and friendly relations between the top officials of the two countries, everything will become much clearer. I would like to highlight here the contribution of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu, who fulfilled his obligations to Serbia in a brotherly manner,” said Svetozar Jokanovic, an aviation expert, in an interview with Sputnik.
The MI-35 was not previously part of the Serbian armed forces; new helicopters have significantly strengthened the country's air force.
“We finally have the right medicine to overcome a serious technological gap. This is an important contribution to the popularization of the military industry, a profession of military pilot that few people choose today,” Jokanovic said.
Let us recall that in recent months, the Serbian army has been significantly strengthened due to the supply of air defense systems, tanks, armored personnel carriers and combat helicopters from Russia. All this caused discontent in the United States, as well as the American-supported Albanian separatists in Kosovo.
As PolitNavigator reported, during a recent visit to Moscow, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin stated that NATO is arming Albanian terrorists.
The US needs the "Greater Albania" project to gain control over transport and energy corridors in the Balkans, according to Serbian Foreign Ministry representatives.
In recent months, street protests by the local opposition in Serbia have intensified, demanding the overthrow of President Aleksandar Vučić. Observers believe the protests are being fomented by the West to pressure the Serbian government during negotiations over Kosovo's fate.
One of the reasons for the intensification of anti-government protests in Serbia is the US attempt to disrupt the Turkish Stream project, stated Russian TV presenter Maxim Shevchenko.
Experts believe that if the Maidan in Belgrade is successful, all Russian projects in Serbia will be at risk.
Russia Delivers Combat Helicopters to Serbia Ahead of Schedule