Russia to supply Mi-35 helicopter to Pakistan

Russia to assist Pakistan with terrorism and security issues, says Russia's Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Dedov

ISLAMABAD: Russia has decided to lift the ban on the Mi-35 Hind attack helicopter to Pakistan, said Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Dedov, Express News reported.

In a press conference on Tuesday, the ambassador also said Russia had agreed to sell the helicopters to Pakistan to assist the country with terrorism and the security related issues.

Earlier this month, Russia was still holding talks with Pakistan on the supply of the combat helicopters, and had lifted its embargo on the arms supply to Pakistan.

"Such a decision has been taken. We are holding talks on supplying the helicopters,” head of state-owned Rostec, Sergei Chemezov said, adding that the negotiations were about Russian Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters.

Russia has long been the largest supplier of arms to India, which is the world’s top arms buyer.

But Moscow’s move to supply Islamabad came as New Delhi is seeking to modernise its armed forces’ ageing hardware and has recently chosen to buy arms from Israel, France, Britain and the United States.