Description:
MIL Mi-8 is a twin-engine, multi-role, medium transport helicopter capable of transporting troops and equipment or conducting ground attack missions. It was developed in the 1960s by the Soviet Union and was dubbed Hip by NATO. The five-bladed main rotor is driven by either two TV2-117 or TV3-117 turboshaft engines rated at 1,700-shp or 2,200-shp. In addition to its crew of two man, Mi-8 can transport as many as 24/28 troops. More than 12,000 Mi-8s of all models were produced for the Soviet Union and international customers.
Mi-8 can perform tactical transport missions carrying internal or external payloads of up to 4,000 kg for both civil and military operators. In the ground attack role it can be armed with rocket launchers, missiles and guns. Mi-14 and Mi-8M/Mi-17 are two highlighted variants powered by uprated TV3 turboshafts. Mi-17 which is an export designation is a follow-on variant of Mi-8 tactical transport helicopter featuring improved performance. Mi-14, dubbed Haze by NATO, was an amphibious variant for shore and ship-based operations. Mi-14 is equipped with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) equipment.
Mi-8T, Mi-8M, Mi-8MT, Mi-8MTV and Mi-8AMT are dedicated transport versions; Mi-171 and Mi-172 are designations for export variants of Mi-8AMT; Mi-8TB and Mi-8TVK are assault variants; Mi-8PS and Mi-9 are airborne command posts; Mi-8SMV is a dedicated Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) jammer; Mi-8PPA is a communications jammer; Mi-8VPK is an airborne communications platform.
The last known international customer for Mi-8/17 helicopter family was Venezuela that purchased six Mi-17V-5 aircraft in 2005. Currently, the Mi-8/17 family of helicopters is the backbone of the tactical transport rotary-wing aircraft fleet of the Russian Army. Kamov Ka-60 helicopter is being developed as the replacement for Mi-8s. Deliveries to the Russian Army could start at the end of the first decade of the 21st century.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 3, Passengers 28
Dimensions: Height 5.6 m, Length 25 m, Main Rotor Diameter 21 m, Width 2.5 m
Weights: Max Weight 12,000 kg (26,455 lb), Min Weight 7,600 kg (16,755 lb), Payload 4,000 kg (8,818 lb)
Performance: Ceiling 4,500 m (14,764 ft), Cruise Speed 63 mps (225 kph), Max Range 1,200 km (648 nm), Top Speed 70 mps (250 kph)
Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Bolivia
Bulgaria
Cambodia
China
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Egypt
Ethiopia
Finland
Germany
Guyana
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Libya
Madagascar
Mongolia
Mozambique
Nicaragua
North Korea
Pakistan
Poland
Russia
Serbia
Slovakia
Sudan
Syria
Thailand / 3 
Ukraine
Venezuela / 6 
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia