Fawad Aman, a spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Defense, tweeted several images of the ceremony, showing that the helicopters bore the numbers 125 and 126. These Mi-35s -- as well as a pair delivered earlier in the year -- are replacements for four helicopters that India transferred to Afghanistan between 2015 and 2016.

In a statement quoted by TOLO News, Ambassador Kumar said, "India supports peace and harmony in Afghanistan and assists all Afghans in securing a better future. The Afghan National Defense Security Forces [have made a] stellar effort to provide an ubrella of security to achieve shared and common values against cross-border terrorism and internal threats."

Acting Defense Minister Khalid thanked the Indian government for the helicopters, saying that the Afghan military "will uses these helicopters for bringing peace, preventing threats from enemies, and for providing a better environment for the people of Afghanistan."

The Afghan military is presently fighting the Taliban insurgency, which continues to carry out attacks even as Washington seeks to reach a settlement with the insurgent group that would allow for the withdrawal of American troops. The Taliban has refused to negotiate with the Afghan government and there is concern that any peace accord struck between the U.S. and the Taliban could fall apart as the U.S. downsizes its presence in the country.

Source:  TOLO News
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In addition to performance improvements that provide greater rates and acceleration of sensors in azimuth and elevation, M-TUR's new modular design improves turret reliability by 40 percent and reduces operation and support costs with a dramatic decrease in time required to conduct flight line maintenance. The design also allows for subassembly replacement on the flight line and includes higher reliability components that will improve aircraft availability.

M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache helicopter pilots with long-range, precision engagement and pilotage capabilities for mission success and flight safety during day and night, and in adverse weather conditions. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 1,400 M-TADS/PNVS systems and spares to the U.S. Army and 16 international customers in 15 nations over the last 14 years.

Source:  Lockheed Martin
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To date, X2 test aircraft have demonstrated speeds in excess of 250 knots, high altitude operations in excess of 9,000 feet, low-speed and high-speed maneuver envelopes out to 60+ degrees angle of bank, and ADS-33B (Aeronautical Design Standard) Level 1 handling qualities with multiple pilots, according to Lockheed Martin.

"It combines the best elements of low-speed helicopter performance with the cruise performance of an airplane," said Sikorsky experimental test pilot Bill Fell, a retired Army pilot who has flown nearly every Raider test flight. "Every flight we take in our S-97 Raider today reduces risk and optimizes our FARA prototype, Raider X."

Source:  Lockheed Martin