The Russian Ministry of Defense spoke about the participation of modernized Mi-8MTV5-1 helicopters in training flights in the skies over Kyrgyzstan. The air forces of the Russian military base in this republic, which is part of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region of the CSTO, practiced covering ground convoys of equipment on the march, working in the mountains and at extremely low altitudes.
As part of the flight day, the crews practiced using the helicopter's onboard systems, conducting aerial reconnaissance of convoy routes in mountainous terrain, and interacting as part of pairs when patrolling the march area and covering ground convoys of military equipment. Helicopter "pairs" also performed maneuvering at extremely low and medium altitudes from 30 to 1500 meters, bypassing mountain ranges, flying over the water area of the lake, as well as approaching ground targets simulating enemy firing weapons and operating from ambushes.
Mi-8MTV5-1 is a military transport helicopter manufactured by the Russian Helicopters holding company of the Rostec State Corporation. It has been used by the Russian military and law enforcement agencies since 2011. It is designed to transport cargo and equipment weighing up to 4 tons and perform various special tasks. In particular, these include conducting search and rescue operations and covering convoys of military equipment and manpower from the air.
After modernization in the late 2010s by order of the Ministry of Defense, the helicopter has:
- its own electronic warfare system, which is installed separately;
- modern onboard equipment;
- its own device for ejecting passive interference to protect against guided missiles;
- lighting equipment in the cockpit adapted for the use of night vision goggles. This allows flights to be performed in the dark at low and extremely low altitudes;
- the ability to take off and land on unmarked sites thanks to lighting equipment.
The Mi-8MTV5-1 copes with tasks in all climatic conditions and, according to manufacturers, "is rightfully one of the best in the world in its class".
However, in 2022, it became known about plans to supplement all of these helicopters in operation with a range of capabilities up to the level of the Mi-8MTV-5M assault transport. Military transport aircraft may also receive a digital autopilot, a TA-14 auxiliary power unit of domestic production, and a new communication complex. This complex is unified with all helicopters supplied in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense and provides the function of data exchange between any machines.
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