New Mi-8AMTSh-VN fire support helicopters have entered the Russian armed forces. Car deliveries will take place in 2021 and 2022. This was reported by RIA Novosti with reference to a source in the military-industrial complex.
“Two contracts have been signed, the vehicles must go to the troops during 2021 and 2022,” the agency's source said. However, he did not disclose the number of helicopters that will be supplied to the military.
Mi-8AMTSh-VN is intended for fire support of special forces. The helicopter received a President-S protective complex, which recognizes missile launches, jamming and firing false targets. Additional protection of the helicopter's cockpit and cargo compartment is provided by Kevlar armor.
The helicopter can carry unguided rockets, cannon containers and bombs. Also, the Mi-8AMTSh-VN was equipped with a guided weapon system. The arsenal of the machine is supplemented by four machine guns.
Earlier in the article of the magazine “Arsenal of the Fatherland” reported about the work on a new modification of the Mi-8 helicopter, which will be able to transport a buggy. The upgraded vehicle is designed to evacuate the wounded and provide fire support to units.
In December last year, a RIA Novosti source in the military-industrial complex announced the successful tests of the Mi-8AMTSh-VN. He noted that the helicopter hit the targets with rockets, cannons and Ataka-VM missiles.
