The Hind/Havoc issue – did Cyprus want Mi-28's?

From the photos and little info I do know, the Mi-35P Hind-F or “Krokodile” in Cyprus (12 aircraft 4 options) is as similar characteristics to the Mi-28 as a Hind can get, with the obvious exception of the guns.

The Hind-F appeared after years of speculation that Cyprus was going to choose the Mi-28 Havoc, so was this disinformation or do you reckon there is any truth in the idea.

I have talked to a couple of guys in the CNG that claim more attack helicopters are going to be delivered in the next couple of years.

The only purchase even vaguely admitted to by the Cyprus Government is the procurement of 3 helicopters of the “X” variety, probably Mi-17’s since the Bell-412 is embargoed by lovable old Uncle SAM.

I mean, the Hind-F just doesn’t have the ability to fight a prolonged battle without serious escort, and it can’t pop up or hover behind cover terrain.

The Mi-28 I think shares certain technical aspects to the Hind-F, and will likely also have night-capability, and both types will utilise the AT-9 Attacka, as well 57mm, 81mm rockets and SA-18 Igla giving a potent combination of anti-tank and anti-helicopter capability.

Does anyone know the price range on Mi-28’s and Mi-35’s? I presumed the Mi-35 was the cheaper option, which is classic with Cyprus, even though it has more than enough money (the Cypriot defence tax levee has been increased by 3.1% since 2001 + the Nikiforos-Toxotis military exercise was cancelled leaving the armed forces with a surplus in the region of $2.5 million dollars.

How will Mi-35’s cope against Turkish Air Force close-air support fighters? Is Igla-1 going to be able to handle it, or do they need to mount something like AA-11 Archer?

One thing is certain in my opinion – the increase of tank numbers in occupied Cyprus now stands at close to 430, against a little over 350 National Guard and Greek tanks. The CNG knows that the AMX-30B2 (the majority), as well as the Greek M-48A2 will not survive well against Turkish air attack, so the decisive factor in fighting a ground war (STOPPING a Turkish incursion) will fall to ground and air-launched ATBM’s. There is already a large effort to acquire Milan-3 Euromissile and the CNG has many HOT’s, Milan and APILAS.

Conspicuosly lacking battlefield airpower, the idea of introducing Havocs to support Mi-35’s and Gazelles in battle is a well founded one because it provides CNG forces with an agile tank and helicopter killing asset that can protect the slower, larger aircraft.