November 30,2008: Brazil has purchased a dozen Russian Mi-35M helicopter gunships. The Mi-35 is the export version of the most recent upgrade of the Mi-24. This is a twelve ton helicopter gunship that also has a cargo area that can hold up to eight people, or four stretchers. The Mi-35M can carry up to 2.4 tons of rockets, missiles bombs, as well as an automatic cannon. It is used by over thirty countries, and has a pretty good reputation for reliability. The basic Mi-24 design is based on the earlier Mi-8 transport helicopter. The "M" model is equipped with Western sensors and avionics and can operate at night and in all weather.