Mil Mi-17

The Mil Mi-17 (also known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service, NATO reporting name "Hip") is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. It is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship.

Development
Developed from the basic Mi-8 airframe, the Mi-17 was fitted with the larger TV3-117MT engines, rotors, and transmission developed for the Mi-14, along with fuselage improvements for heavier loads. Optional engines for 'hot and high' conditions are the 1545 kW (2070 shp) Isotov TV3-117VM. Recent exports to China and Venezuela for use in high mountains have the new VK-2500 version of the engine with FADEC control.

The designation Mi-17 is for export; Russian armed forces call it Mi-8MT. The Mi-17 can be recognized because it has the tail rotor on the port side instead of the starboard side, and dust shields in front of the engine intakes. Engine cowls are shorter than on the TV2-powered Mi-8, not extending as far over the cockpit, and an opening for a bleed air valve outlet is present forward of the exhaust.



Actual model numbers vary by builder, engine type, and other options. As an example, the sixteen new Ulan-Ude-built machines delivered to the Czech Air Force in 2005 with –VM model engines were designated as Mi-171Sh, a development of the Mi-8AMTSh. Modifications include a new large door on the right side, improved Czech-built APU, Kevlar armor plates around the cockpit area and engines. Eight have a loading ramp in place of the usual clamshell doors, and will load a vehicle up to the size of an SUV.

In May 2008 licensed production of the Mi-17 started in China, with production being led by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC and the Sichuan Lantian Helicopter Company Limited in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The plant built 20 helicopters in 2008, using Russian Ulan-Ude-supplied kits; production is expected to reach 80 helicopters per year eventually. The variants to be built by Lantian will include Mi-171, Mi-17V5, and Mi-17V7.

Service usage


Mi-17s were used by the Cambodian government's 1996 dry season offensive, five of them being converted to gunships equipped with 57mm rocket pods and providing air support for ground forces attacking the Khmer Rouge stronghold of Pailin. In May 1999, during Operation "SafedSagar", the Mi-17 was used in the first air phase of Kargil operations by 129HU of the IAF against Pakistani regular and Pakistan backed militant forces. One Mi-17 was lost in combat to shoulder fired missiles. Mi-17s were withdrawn and attacks by fixed-wing aircraft began.

The Mi-17 was used extensively by the Sri Lanka Air Force in the Sri Lankan Civil War. Seven of them were lost in combat and attacks on airports. The Mi-17 was used by the Colombian Army in Operation Jaque. In 2001, the Macedonian Air Force used the Mi-17 against Albanian insurgents.



The Mi-17 is also used by search and rescue teams such as the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department. Executive Outcomes used them extensively in its operations in the Angolan Civil War. The Mi-17 is used as a commercial passenger aircraft by Air Koryo, national airline of North Korea. Previous flights include those between Pyongyang and Kaesong and Pyongyang and Haeju. The Mexican Navy utilizes its Mi-17s for anti-narcotic operations such as locating marijuana fields and dispatching marines to eradicate the plantations.

The Slovakian forces and Croatian Air Force operate Mi-17s in Kosovo as part of KFOR. Both the pro-Gaddafi and anti-Gaddafi forces in the 2011 Libyan civil war have operated them.



Mi-17s are operated by the Afghan National Army Air Force. In July 2010 two Mi-17 were flown by a mixed crew of United States Air Force and Afghan Air Force personnel in a 13-hour mission that rescued 2080 civilians from flood waters. This was the largest rescue by two helicopters in USAF history. USAF pilot Lt Col Gregory Roberts received the Distinguished Flying Cross for the mission.

Recent orders
On 28 October 2008 the Royal Thai Army announced a deal to buy six Mi-17s to meet its requirement for a medium-lift helicopter. This is the first time the Thai military has acquired Russian aircraft instead of American. Flight International quotes the Thai army’s rationale: "We are buying three Mi-17 helicopters for the price of one Black Hawk. The Mi-17 can also carry more than 30 troops, while the Black Hawk could carry only 13 soldiers. These were the key factors behind the decision."

On 15 December 2008, it was reported that India ordered 80 Mi-17V-5 helicopters worth $1.375 billion, which would be delivered to the Indian Air Force between 2011 and 2014 to replace aging Mi-8s. In August 2010, it was reported that India planned to order another 59 Mi-17s. The first Mi-17V-5s entered service with India in February 2012. In December 2012, India signed a contract for 71 aircraft at a reported cost of $1.3 billion.



On 11 June 2009, it was announced that the United States had handed over four Mi-17 cargo helicopters to the Pakistan Army to facilitate its counter-terrorism operation. This followed an urgent request for helicopters by Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Kayani in a leaked US embassy cable published on Wikileaks.

On 10 July 2009, it was announced that Chile would pursue talks with Russia to purchase five Mi-17 multi-role helicopters for the Chilean Air Force, despite pressure from the United States. However, as of January 2013, it seems that these plans were canceled.

On 16 September 2009, the US Navy delivered the last two of four Mi-17s to the Afghan National Army Air Corps. On 19 June 2010, it was announced that the US government would buy and refurbish 31 more Mi-17 helicopters from Russia to supply the Afghan Army.

The US was reportedly considering adding the helicopter to the US military for Special Forces use in order to obscure troop movements. The US has used some Mi-8s and Mi-17s for training, and has purchased units for allies in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In August 2010 a contract was signed by the Argentine Air Force for two Mi-17Es, plus an option on another three, to support Antarctic bases.

In September 2010, the Polish Defense Minister announced that his country would buy five new Mi-17s from Russia, to support Polish operations in Afghanistan. All five Mi-17-1Vs were delivered by 2011.

In 2010, the Kenya Air Force purchased three Mi-171 medium-lift helicopters to supplement its fleet of IAR 300 Pumas, which have been flying for more than 20 years.

In 2011, Chief of Staff of Afghanistan Army Abdul Wahhab Wardak announced that the US government will pay US$367.5 million to Russian producers for 21 Mi-17s to Afghanistan. He explained the choice with the acquaintance of the Afghan technical and pilot staff with the helicopter type and that it is better suited for Afghanistan's environment. The United States continued to purchase the helicopters for Afghanistan in 2013, in spite of a congressional prohibition.

China signed two contracts with Rosobornexport in 2009 and 2012 for 32 and 52 Mi-171E respectively.

Variants



 * Mi-8AMT
 * Slightly modified version of Kazan's Mi-8MTV, built in Ulan-Ude from 1991 and still powered by TV3-117VM engines although nowadays VK-2500 engines are optional. Also known as Mi-171.


 * Mi-8AMTSh
 * Armed assault version of the Mi-8AMT, can carry the same range of weapons as the Mi-24 including the "Shturm" ATGM. Fitted with a new large door on the right side (except the prototype), aramid fiber plates around the cockpit area and engines, and sometimes a loading ramp in place of the usual clamshell doors. The Russian air force received a first batch of 10 Mi-8AMTSh (without guided weapons package) in December 2010, and a second batch in June 2011.


 * Mi-8MT
 * Basic updated version of the Mi-8T, powered by two 1,397 kW (1,874 hp) Klimov TV3-117MT turboshaft engines. Provision for twin or triple external stores racks. The export version is known as Mi-17.


 * Mi-8MTV
 * Hot and High version, powered by two Klimov TV3-117VM high-altitude turboshaft engines. This type has a maximum ceiling of 6,000 m.


 * Mi-8MTV-1
 * Radar-equipped civil version of the Mi-8MTV. Russian designation of the Mi-17-1V.


 * Mi-8MTV-2
 * Improved version of the MTV-1 with enhanced armour, updated systems, an anti-torque rotor and accommodation for 30 instead of 24 troops.


 * Mi-8MTV-3
 * Military version of the Mi-8MTV-2, fitted with four instead of six hardpoints, but the number of possible external stores combinations was increased from 8 to 24.


 * Mi-8MTV-5
 * Military utility transport helicopter, powered by two Klimov TV3-117VM turboshaft engines and equipped with a loading ramp instead of the clam-shell doors, an additional door and a new "dolphin nose".


 * Mi-8MTV-5-Ga
 * Civilian version of the Mi-8MTV-5.


 * Mi-8MTKO
 * Night attack conversion of the Mi-8MT and Mi-8MTV helicopters. Known in Belarus as Mi-8MTKO1.


 * Mi-8MTD
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT.


 * Mi-8MTF
 * Smoke-screen laying version.


 * Mi-8MTG
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT with "Gardenya-1FVE" single H/I-band jamming system. Export designation Mi-17PG.


 * Mi-8MTI (NATO Hip-H EW5)
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT with "Ikebana" single D-band jamming system. Also known as Mi-13, export designation Mi-17PI.


 * Mi-8MTPB (NATO Hip-H EW3)
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT with "Bizon" jamming system. Export designation Mi-17PP.


 * Mi-8MTPSh
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT with "Shakhta" jamming system. Export designation Mi-17PSh.


 * Mi-8MTS
 * Sigint version of the Mi-8MT.


 * Mi-8MTR1
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT.


 * Mi-8MTR2
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT.


 * Mi-8MTSh1
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT.


 * Mi-8MTSh2 (NATO Hip-H EW4)
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT.


 * Mi-8MTSh3 (NATO Hip-H EW6)
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT.


 * Mi-8MTT
 * Sigint version of the Mi-8MT.


 * Mi-8MTYa
 * Electronic warfare version of the Mi-8MT with "Yakhont" system.


 * Mi-8MS
 * VIP version. Sub-variants are Mi-8MSO and Mi-8MSD.


 * Mi-17 (NATO Hip-H)
 * Improved version of the Mi-8, powered by two Klimov TV3-117MT turboshaft engines. Basic production version.


 * Mi-17-1
 * Export version of Mi-8AMT.


 * Mi-17-1M
 * High altitude operations version, powered by two Klimov TV3-117VM turboshaft engines.


 * Mi-17-1V
 * Military transport, helicopter gunship version, powered by two Klimov TV3-117VM turboshaft engines. Export version of the Mi-8MTV-1.


 * Mi-17-1VA
 * Flying hospital version.


 * Mi-17-2
 * Export version of Mi-8MTV-2.


 * Mi-17V-3
 * Export version of the Mi-8MTV-3.


 * Mi-17V-5
 * Export version of the Mi-8MTV-5. This variant is designated CH-178 by the Canadian Forces.


 * Mi-17V-7
 * Mi-17V-5 equipped with VK-2500 engine and clam shell doors.


 * Mi-17M
 * Demonstration model from 1993, served as the basis for the Mi-17MD (nowadays known as Mi-17V-5).


 * Mi-17MD
 * Initial designator of the Mi-17V-5, developed in 1995 and from 1996 fitted with a loading ramp.


 * Mi-17KF
 * Export version fitted with new avionics including Inertial Navigation Unit along with GPS at tail boom.


 * Mi-17N
 * Export version of the Mi-8MTKO with GOES-321M turret with LLLTV and FLIR.


 * Mi-17P
 * Export version, passenger transport helicopter.


 * Mi-17PG
 * Export version of the Mi-8MTG.


 * Mi-17PI
 * Export version of the Mi-8MTI.


 * Mi-17PP
 * Export version of the Mi-8MTPB.


 * Mi-17S
 * VIP version.


 * Mi-17AE
 * Little-known SAR and Medevac version given to Poland.


 * Mi-17 LPZS
 * Specialised version for the SAR units (Leteckej Pátracej a Záchrannej Služby) of Slovakia. Four ordered.


 * Mi-17Z-2 “Přehrada”
 * Czech electronic warfare version with two large canisters on each side.


 * Mi-18
 * Prototype design, a modification of the existing Mil Mi-8. Two Mi-8s were extended by 0.9 meters (3 ft), the landing gear made retractable, and a sliding door added to the starboard side of the fuselage. The Mi-18s were used in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and later used as static training airframes for pilots of the Mi-8/8MT.


 * Mi-19
 * Airborne command post version for tank and motorized infantry commanders (based on Mi-8MT/Mi-17 airframe).


 * Mi-19R
 * Airborne command post version similar to Mi-19 for commanders of rocket artillery (based on Mi-8MT/Mi-17 airframe).


 * Mi-171
 * Export version of the Mi-8AMT, built in Ulan-Ude.


 * Mi-171A
 * Mi-171 civilian passenger helicopter modified to meet FAR 29 and JAR 29 requirement.


 * Mi-171A1
 * Mi-171 civilian cargo helicopter modified to meet FAR 29 and JAR 29 requirement.


 * Mi-171C
 * Chinese built variant of Mi-171 by Sichuan Lantian Helicopter Company Limited, with two radars, one weather radar in the forward section, and another Doppler navigational radar under tail boom. Clam shell doors are replaced by a single ramp door.


 * Mi-171E
 * Mi-171 equipped with VK-2500-03 engines to operate in extreme temperature limits, from -58 to 50 Celsius.


 * Mi-171M
 * Modernized Mi-171 to reduce crew from 3 to 2.


 * Mi-171S
 * Mi-171 with western avionics such as AN/ARC-320 transceiver, GPS and standard NATO flight responder.


 * Mi-171Sh
 * Export version of the Ulan-Udes Mi-8AMTSh. Czech Republic and Croatia have ordered these types in 2005 and 2007. Bangladesh Air Force also operates Mi-171Sh as armed helicopter. Two recent operators are Peru who ordered 6, all due for delivery in 2011, and Ghana which received 4 of the helicopters in January 2013.


 * Mi-172
 * Civil passenger version manufactured in Kazan plant and based on the Mi-8MTV-3.

Operators

 * 🇦🇫 Afghanistan
 * 🇩🇿 Algeria
 * 🇦🇴 Angola
 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
 * 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
 * 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 * 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
 * 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso
 * 🇰🇭 Cambodia
 * 🇨🇦 Canada
 * 🇹🇩 Chad
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇨🇴 Colombia
 * 🇭🇷 Croatia
 * 🇨🇺 Cuba
 * 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
 * 🇩🇯 Djibouti
 * 🇪🇨 Ecuador
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇪🇷 Eritrea
 * 🇪🇬 Egypt
 * 🇪🇷 Eritrea


 * 🇪🇹 Ethiopia
 * 🇬🇭 Ghana
 * 🇭🇺 Hungary
 * 🇮🇳 India
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇮🇶 Iraq
 * 🇮🇷 Iran
 * 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
 * 🇰🇪 Kenya
 * Laos
 * 🇱🇻 Latvia
 * 🇲🇰 Macedonia
 * 🇲🇾 Malaysia
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico
 * 🇲🇳 Mongolia
 * 🇲🇲 Myanmar
 * 🇳🇦 Namibia
 * 🇳🇵 Nepal
 * 🇳🇮 Nicaragua
 * 🇳🇪 Niger
 * 🇳🇬 Nigeria
 * 🇵🇰 Pakistan
 * 🇵🇪 Peru
 * 🇵🇱 Poland
 * 🇷🇺 Russia


 * 🇷🇼 Rwanda
 * 🇸🇳 Senegal
 * Serbia and Montenegro
 * 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
 * 🇸🇰 Slovakia
 * 🇸🇸 South Sudan
 * 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
 * Syria
 * 🇹🇭 Thailand
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey
 * 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan
 * 🇺🇬 Uganda
 * 🇺🇦 Ukraine
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States
 * 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
 * 🇻🇪 Venezuela
 * Vietnam
 * 🇾🇪 Yemen

Former operators

 * Czechoslovakia
 * Soviet Union

Accidents and notable incidents

 * In December 2003, a Polish Air Force Mi-8 crashed with Prime Minister Leszek Miller on board; all survived.
 * In late July 2005, the South Sudanese leader John Garang died after the Ugandan presidential Mi-172 helicopter he was flying in crashed.
 * On 12 January 2008, a Mi-17 of the Macedonian Armed Forces crashed, killing all three crew members and eight passengers.
 * On 3 March 2008, an Iraqi Air Force Mi-17 (Mi-8AMT) crashed near Baiji while ferrying troops from Tal Afar to the capital Baghdad. All eight people on board perished in the accident.
 * On 31 May 2008, a People's Liberation Army Mi-171 transport crashed in southwest Sichuan provinces with 14 on board. It was on a mission during 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
 * On 14 February 2010, a Yemeni Air Force Mi-17 crashed in Northern Yemen, hitting an Army vehicle. All eleven people on board were killed, in addition to three others on the ground.
 * On 28 July 2010, an Iraqi Air Force Mi-17 (Mi-8M) crashed in a sandstorm about 110 km south of Baghdad, killing all 5 occupants.
 * On 19 November 2010, an Indian Air Force Mi-17 crashed near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India killing all 12 people on board. It had taken off from Tawang for Guwahati, and crashed about five minutes later at Bomdir.
 * On 19 April 2011, a Pawan Hans Mi-172 burst into flames seconds before landing at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India, killing 17 people on board.
 * On 18 May 2012, a Mi-17 crashed while in training in San Felipe, Venezuela, killing 4 people.
 * On 11 July 2012, a Pakistan Army Mi-17 crashed near Skardu Airport in Gilgit-Baltistan, killing 5 people.
 * On 30 August 2012, two Indian Air Force Mi-17s collided near Jamnagar in Western India, killing 9 people.
 * On 11 February 2013, a Mi-17 belonging to Azerbaijani Air Force crashed into the Caspian Sea killing all 3 people on board.
 * On 25 June 2013, A Mi-17 V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed while undertaking rescue operations in the flood-ravaged areas of the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. IAF chief NAK Browne ruled out possibility of any of the 20 men on board surviving. There were five staff from IAF, six from Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and nine from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
 * On 16 September 2013, a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Syrian Mil-17 helicopter at the border after the helicopter violated Turkish airspace. Two crewmembers reportedly bailed out before the aircraft crashed in Syrian territory.
 * On 9 November 2013, an Indonesian army helicopter crash killed at least 13 people after the Mi-17 aircraft caught on fire in the jungles of Borneo.