Russia to begin upgrading Mi-24 helicopters this year
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Moscow, 11 June: The first Mi-24PN Hind utility helicopter is likely to undergo modernization into Mi-24PM by the end
of 2004. "The modernization of the helicopter has been ordered by the Russian Defence Ministry. There are plans to
upgrade most of the Mi-24P and Mi-24V helicopters in service now to the Mi-24PM version," a source in the defence
industry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday [11 June].
He added that under the customer's specifications, the helicopters will be upgraded stage-by-stage. At the first
stage, these will be converted into Mi-24PN, and into Mi-24PM at the second stage.
"Flight tests of the Mi-24PM are planned to be over in late 2006," the source said. "The modernized
Mi-24PM will have a new rotor system, the VK-2500 engine, and improved avionics.
It will also have a much wider weapons suite, including air-to-air missiles," he noted. According to him, the
Mi-24PM will cost more than the Mi-24PN. "Modernization of the helicopters is financed by the Russian Defence
Ministry," he added.
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