The helicopters will now be equipped with infra red sensors, laser range-finders and thermal imagers to identify targets in the dark. Their cockpit lighting will be changed to incorporate night vision goggles and helmet-mounted displays. To be ``pilot- friendly,'' these systems will be synchronised by computers and the helicopters will be fitted with global positioning navigation systems.

The Mi-35, in the 11-12 tonne class, has four points for carrying armament with an inventory which includes: 57 mm and 80 mm rocket projectiles, 250 kg/500 kg `dumb' bombs, Shtrum (secondgeneration command to line-of-sight) missiles anti-tank guided missiles. Besides, the helicopter can also ferry eight armed soldiers.

The Indian upgrade business will provide the vendor a window of opportunity to tap the global market of Mi-35 helicopters scattered over the Commonwealth of Independent States, Latin American countries and African nations.

The IAI, sources said, without any hands-on experience to do an Mi-35 night upgrade, has adopted an innovative business approach and acquired a flying machine from a CIS country to do the systems integration/testing on the helicopter. Prior to that, Indian military officers spelt out their requirements to the IAI designers and the two sides decided on the avionics to be used for the upgrade.

Only Israel has a track record in combat helicopter night upgrades which is confined to developing the `C-Nite' kits for US Army Aviation Cobra helicopters in collaboration with the Americans.