CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -It is estimated that by 2022 around 900 of Mi-24 and Mi-35 seriers helicopters remain in service. The Russian Army being the most significant operator with around 700 helicopters. Though actual numbers of operational helicopters are unclear due to the Russian losses in Ukraine.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Mi-24 is in service with Russia and countries of the ex-Soviet Union and has been exported to Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bulgaria, Cuba, Czech Republic, East Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, the Ivory Coast, Libya, Mozambique, Nicaragua, North Korea, Peru, Poland, Vietnam and South Yemen.

Detailed explanation-3: -Indian Air Force operates 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters procured from Boeing through the Foreign Military Sales programme of the U.S. government under a $3 billion deal in September 2015.