Indian Air Force’s Mi-35 Attack Choppers To Be Equipped With Russian Anti-Tank Missile To Bolster Capability

India has signed a deal to acquire ‘Strum Ataka’ anti-tank missile from Russia for its fleet of Mi-35 attack helicopters, reports LiveMint.

"The deal for acquiring 'Strum Ataka' anti-tank missiles was signed with Russia under the emergency clauses through which the missiles would be supplied within three months of contract signing," government sources were quoted in the report as saying.

According to the report, the missile deal is worth around Rs 200 crore and will bolster the capability of the Mi-35 attack choppers to take out enemy tanks and other armoured elements.

The Mi-35s are existing attack choppers of the Indian Air Force (IAF). They will be replaced with the Apache attack choppers that are being acquired from the US and are scheduled to be delivered from this month.

As per the report, the deal for the Russian missiles has been signed under the emergency powers granted to the security forces by the government few weeks after the Pulwama terror attack, in which over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred.

Under the emergency powers given to the three services, they can buy equipment of their choice within three months at a cost of up to ₹300 crore per case.