Thread by @RALee85

Several sources tell Interfax that the MoD has decided to abandon serial purchases of the new Mi-28NM helicopter because of its high price. Apparently, the MoD has tried for 3 months to get a price reduction, but Russian Helicopters wouldn't budge. 1/
interfax.ru/russia/651526

The Mi-28NM is the latest version of the Mi-28 attack helicopter that incorporates upgrades based off Russian experiences in Syria. Helicopters were a priority under GPV-2020, but Russia's Army Aviation has already achieved ~80% modern equipment. 2/
tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/5…

Yuri Borisov said Russia's Army Aviation is already saturated, and that MoD orders will be significantly reduced under GPV-2027 (from 80-90 per year to 30-40 per year). Additionally, Russian Helicopters is focused on adopting the Mi-38 and Ka-62. 3/
rbc.ru/politics/03/12…

New Mi-35M helicopters were spotted flying in Rostov last month that indicates Rosvertol has restarted Mi-35M production for the MoD (it also produces the Mi-28), which is cheaper than the Mi-28NM and is also an attack helicopter. 4/
bmpd.livejournal.com/3510479.html

The Mi-28 was supposed to be the primary attack helicopter for the Russian Armed Forces, but it has been plagued with accidents and the MoD was unhappy with its performance in Syria (particularly its electronics). 5/
kommersant.ru/doc/3541262

In contrast, the MoD has been happy with the Ka-52 and with the Progress Factory's timely deliveries. The MoD signed a large contract for 114 Ka-52 as part of GPV-2027, which will bring the total # to 260 Ka-52 helicopters (possibly more now) in the Russian Military by 2027. 6/

Progress has already signed an export contract with Egypt, and it is developing the Ka-52K naval variant for service on Russian ships (and hopefully for Egypt's Mistral). The MoD is still procuring Mi-28UB from an April 2016 contract for 24 of the helicopters. 7/

But Interfax reports that the MoD will try to improve existing Mi-28N helicopters instead of procuring new Mi-28NM. This is just the latest example of Russia looking for places to find savings in its procurement strategy of conventional weapons under GPV-2027. 8/

The annual state defense order has been decreasing since 2015, in nominal and real terms, with an expected 1.44 T RUB spent in 2019. Much of this is going to new PGMs and strategic weapons, whereas the rest of Russia's conventional forces will have to make do with less. 9/

By 2027, Russia's Armed Forces will still largely be equipped with upgraded T-72/T-80/T-90 tanks; BMP-2/3, BTR-82A IFVs and APCs; Ka-52, Mi-35, Mi-28, and Mi-8 helicopters; Su-30SM, Su-35S, MiG-31BM/K fighters/interceptors, Il-76MD/MD-90A transport aircraft, etc. 10/

There will be further upgrades of these existing systems, but Russia's conventional forces will look pretty similar to the way they look today. The main difference will be in quantity and quality of cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, and strategic systems. 11/

Lieutenant General Anatoly Gulyaev said Russian Helicopters' price for new Mi-28NM helicopters was inflated, and he said he repeatedly appealed to the holding's leadership to reduce the unit price given the large # of helos that would be purchased. 12/
interfax.ru/russia/651890