Mil Mi-17
The Mil Mi-17 is a Soviet/Russian helicopter in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. It is known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service. It is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter. There are also armed gunship versions.
Development
Developed from the basic Mi-8 airframe, the Mi-17 was fitted with the larger Klimov 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 Isotov TV3-117VM. Recent exports to China and Venezuela for use in high mountains have the new Klimov VK-2500 version of the Klimov TV3-117 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, and Kevlar armor plates around the cockpit area and engines. Eight have a loading ramp in place of the usual clamshell doors and can 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 the Mi-171, Mi-17V-5, and Mi-17V7.
Operational history
Service usage
Mi-17s were used during the Cambodian government's 1996 dry season offensive, five of them being converted to helicopter gunships equipped with 57 mm rocket pods and providing air support for ground forces attacking the Khmer Rouge stronghold of Pailin.In May 1999, during Operation Safed Sagar, the Mi-17 was used in the first air phase of the Kargil War by 129HU of the Indian Air Force against Pakistani regular and Pakistan-backed militant forces. One Mi-17 was downed by a shoulder-fired missile, and a fighter aircraft was lost in combat. This led the withdrawal of armed helicopters and attacks by fixed-wing aircraft began.
The Mi-17 was used extensively by the Sri Lanka Air Force in Sri Lanka's war on terrorism by the LTTE. Seven of them were lost in combat and attacks on airports.
The Mi-17 was used by the Colombian Army in Operation Jaque.
Freelance pilot Neall Ellis operated an Mi-17 in support of the Sierra Leonne government in the Sierra Leone Civil War, ferrying ammunition and other supplies to government troops.
In 2001, the Macedonian Air Force used the Mi-17 against Albanian insurgents.
US Special Forces in Afghanistan extensively used CIA-operated Mi-17s during the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom.
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 uses its Mi-17s for anti-narcotic operations such as locating marijuana fields and dispatching marines to eradicate the plantations.
The Slovak Air Force and Croatian Air Force operated Mi-17s in Kosovo as part of KFOR.
Both the pro-Gaddafi and anti-Gaddafi forces in the 2011 Libyan civil war have operated Mi-17s.
Mi-17 showing the clamshell cargo door arrangement
Mi-17s are operated by the Afghan 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 2,080 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.
On 24 November 2015, a Russian Mi-8AMTsh was forced to land when it was hit by insurgent machine gun fire during the combat rescue mission of the ejected crew of the Russian Su-24 that was shot down by a Turkish Air Force F-16 earlier in the day. A Russian marine died in the attack, while the rest of the crew was recovered by another helicopter. The downed air-frame was destroyed with a TOW missile fired by local insurgents.
During Tham Luang cave rescue incident in July 2018, Thai army used the MI-17 helicopter for searching operation and evacuating the first batch of survivors from Tham Luang to Chiang Rai hospital and on 10 July 2018 a Mil Mi-17 helicopter took the last evacuated boy to the hospital.
On 11 February 2020, a Syrian Air Force Mi-17 utility helicopter was shot-down by Turkish-backed rebel forces using an American designed MANPADS over Al-Nayrab, killing everyone aboard. A second Mi-17 of the Syrian Army was shot down in Idlib under similar circumstances, killing all crew, on 14 February 2020.
Recent orders
In October 2007, the Saudi Arabian Government cancelled the purchase of 64 NHIndustries NH90 helicopters and agreed to buy 150 Russian-made Mil Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters instead.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 armed forces have acquired Russian aircraft instead of American aircraft. 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 US$1.3 billion. In December 2014 it was reported that India is in agreement with the Russian Federation to produce on its territory Mi-17s and Ka-226Ts. All 151 helicopters were delivered as of February 2016.
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 operations. This followed an urgent request for helicopters by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez 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 United States 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 Air Force.
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 2011, Chief of Staff of the Afghan National Army Abdul Wahab Wardak announced that the US government will buy Mi-17s for use by Afghanistan's troops. He explained the choice of the Russian helicopter over the American Chinook was due to the familiarity 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, despite a congressional prohibition. Overall, 63 Mi-17s were acquired through the 2011 contract at a cost of US$16.4 to US$18.4 million each, or US$4 to US$6 million more each than a refurbished American Chinook.
China signed two contracts with Rosobornexport in 2009 and 2012 for 32 and 52 Mi-171E, respectively.
In 2014 and 2015, Bangladesh ordered a total of 11 Mi-171Sh helicopters. 5 more ordered in 2017.
The Helicopters of Russia has concluded a contract with the Defense Ministry of Belarus for the supply of twelve Mi-8MTV-5 military transport helicopters in 2016–2017. The Belarusian military will get the helicopters possessing the same parameters as those used by the Russian military. The contract was executed in April 2017.
Over 800 Mi-17s were exported in 2006–2016.
In the course of the Army-2017 International Military Technical Forum signed a contract to supply two Mi-171Sh helicopters to Burkina Faso. Also signed a contract for the supply of helicopters to Russian state special purpose aviation. Three Mi-8AMTSh military transport helicopters were produced and three more were ordered later.
Royal Thai Army ordered 2 Mi-17V-5s in September 2017 which received in December 2018 and RF National Guard ordered two Mi-8AMTSHs in April 2018.
During the Hydroaviasalon-2018 exhibition, subsidiaries of Rostec State Corporation – Russian Helicopters, National Service of Medical Aviation and Avia Capital Services LLC – signed a contract to supply 104 Ansat and 46 Mi-8AMT medically equipped helicopters.
Russia will supply seven Mi-35 and three Mi-17 helicopters to Serbia.
A contract was signed on 18 January 2019 between Russian Helicopters, Kazakhstan Engineering, and Kazakh firm Aircraft Repair Plant No 405 that will see 45 kit versions of the Mil Mi-8AMT and Mi-171 helicopters delivered to Kazakhstan until 2025 for local assembly.
Variants
;Mi-8AMT;Mi-8AMTSh
;Mi-8MT
;Mi-8MTV
;Mi-8MTV-1
;Mi-8MTV-2
;Mi-8MTV-3
;Mi-8MTV-5
Mi-8MTV-5
;Mi-8MTV-5-Ga
;Mi-8MTKO
;Mi-8MTD
;Mi-8MTF
;Mi-8MTG
;Mi-8MTI
;Mi-8MTPB
;Mi-8MTPSh
;Mi-8MTS
;Mi-8MTR1
;Mi-8MTR2
;Mi-8MTSh1
Mi-17
;Mi-8MTSh2
;Mi-8MTSh3
;Mi-8MTT
;Mi-8MTYa
;Mi-8MS
;Mi-17
;Mi-17-1
;Mi-17-1M
Mi-17-1V
;Mi-17-1V
;Mi-17-1VA
;Mi-17-2
;Mi-17V-3
;Mi-17V-5
;Mi-17V-7
;Mi-17M
;Mi-17MD
Mi-17 on the |alt=
;Mi-17KF
;Mi-17N
;Mi-17P
;Mi-17PG
;Mi-17PI
;Mi-17PP
;Mi-17S
;Mi-17AE
;Mi-17 LPZS
;Mi-17Z-2 "Přehrada"
;Mi-18
;Mi-19
;Mi-19R
;Mi-171
;Mi-171A
Mi-17 flies over a live fire Exercise near Mubarak
;Mi-171A1
;Mi-171A2
;Mi-171A3
;Mi-171C
;Mi-171E
;Mi-171M
;Mi-171S
;Mi-171Sh
;Mi-171ShP
;Mi-171Sh2
;Mi-172
Operators
Former operators
Accidents and notable incidents
- On 16 September 2000, a Mi-17 of the Sri Lankan Airforce crashed near Aranayake in Kegalle District, Sri Lanka with one of the then government ministers on board. Besides minister, there were 14 others on board – nine party officials, three bodyguards and two crew members. The authorities initially claimed that engine failure had caused the crash.The government immediately ordered an inquiry into the crash and in January 2001 President Kumaratunga appointed a Presidential Commission to inquire into the crash. However, neither found any conclusive evidence for the crash's cause.
- In December 2003, a Polish Air Force Mi-8 crashed with Prime Minister Leszek Miller on board; all survived.
- On 30 July 2005, a Mi-17 presidential helicopter crashed in mountain ranges in South Sudan due to poor visibility claiming the life of then President of South Sudan John Garang, six of his colleagues and seven Ugandan crew members. He was returning from a private visit in Rwakitura meeting President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.
- 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 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 province, killing 5 crew and 13 passengers on board. It was on a rescue mission during 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
- On 14 January 2009, an Afghan Air Force Mi-17 crashed in Herat while en route to Farah province. All 13 on board were killed, including Maj. Gen. Fazl Ahmad Sayar, one of Afghanistan's four regional commanders.
- 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, along with three others on the ground.
- On 28 July 2010, an Iraqi Air Force Mi-17 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 Bomdila.
- 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 Yaracuy, 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 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, and nine from National Disaster Response Force.
- On 16 September 2013, a Turkish Air Force F-16 shot down a Syrian Mil-17 at the border after the helicopter violated Turkish airspace. Two crew members reportedly bailed out before the aircraft crashed in Syrian territory.
- On 9 November 2013, an Indonesian Army Mi-17 crash killed at least 13 people after the helicopter caught on fire in the jungles of Borneo.
- On 7 July 2014, a Vietnam People's Air Force Mi-171 military helicopter crashed on the outskirts of Hanoi while on a training mission for parachute recruits. Among 21 men on board, 16 died, 4 others died in hospital, only 1 survived. The pilot crashed in a field, probably to avoid the local market and houses.
- On 10 July 2014, a Macedonian police Mi-17-V5 crashed overnight during a training flight near the southern town of Strumica, killing all four people on board. The four crew members were all pilots, each with more than 30 years of flight experience. They were on a night training flight when the Mi-17-V5 hit a 120-meter tall television transmitter tower near Strumica, about 190 kilometers south of the capital Skopje.
- On 21 September 2014, an Egyptian Army Mi-8/17 crashed near Kom Oshem, Fayoum Governrate while on a transport mission from Bani Sweif Governrate. All the crew died.
- On 13 March 2015, Serbian Army Mi-17 crashed just short of Belgrade airport when employed in transportation, from Novi Pazar to military medical facility in Belgrade, of a 5-day old baby with respiratory problems due to road blockade by the landslide. All 7 individuals aboard, including four crew members, two medical staff and the patient have died.
- On 8 May 2015, a Pakistan Army Mi-17 crashed near the Naltar area of Gilgit in Gilgit-Baltistan, killing the Norwegian and Philippine ambassadors and the wives of the Malaysian and Indonesian ambassadors. Two Pakistan Army pilots, Major Al-Tamash and Major Faisal, were also killed in the incident. The Polish and Dutch ambassadors were injured.
- 13 May 2015: A Mi-17 helicopter on a training flight belonging to Bangladesh Air Force crash landed at the airport and caught fire. All three people on board sustained major injuries and were hospitalized.
- 28 July 2015: A Mi-17 helicopter from the Presov Helicopter Airbase of the Slovak Air Force crashed into a forested area near Hradisko, Terňa, Slovakia during a routine training flight. The pilot died on the scene and the remaining two crew members sustained major injuries and were hospitalized.
- On 27 March 2016, a Mi-17 of the Algerian Air Force crashed in Southern Algeria causing the death of 12 military personnel and two injured.
- On 4 August 2016, A Pakistani Mi-17 transport helicopter belonging to the Punjab government en route to Russia for repair, crashed in Logar Province, Afghanistan. The six people on board were reportedly taken as hostage by Taliban. The crew and occupants of the Mi-17 were released after ten days through an inter-tribe exchange at Pakistan-Afghan border. The crew had five Pakistani and one Russian personnels.
- On 27 November 2016, an Iranian Mi-17 transport helicopter belonging to the IRGC dispatched to an oil rig located 12 miles off the coast of Amirabad in the northern province of Mazandaran, crashed in the Caspian Sea. All five people on board died.
- On 31 December 2016, a Venezuelan Mi-17 transport helicopter belonging to the Venezuelan Army covering the route SVPA – SVLE crashed in the Amazonas State.
- On 29 May 2017 a Mi-17 transport helicopter belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force which was engaged in flood relief operations was forced to land with extensive damage in Baddegama, and none of the crew members injured.
- On 6 October 2017 an Indian Air Force Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed in Arunachal Pradesh killing 7 on board.
- On 3 April 2018, an Mi-17 transport helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed in Kedarnath. All the people onboard survived. Indian Air Force has ordered an inquiry into the crash.
- On 11 June 2018, a Mi-17 of the Bulgarian Air Force crashed at Plovdiv Airport, Bulgaria, killing two on board.
- On 27 February 2019, a Mi-17 of the Indian Air Force crashed in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing six on board and one civilian on the ground. Locals on the ground claim that they had heard huge explosion and saw the helicopter break into two parts before crash. Later investigation have shown that the helicopter was shot down as result of friendly fire when a SPYDER Indian air defense system fired a missile which hit Mi-17 helicopter, killing everyone aboard.
- On 13 May 2019, a People's Liberation Army Mi-171 transport belonging to the Tibet Military District crashed in Qinling in Shaanxi Province, killing 6 crew.
- On 6 June 2020, an Indonesian Army Mi-17 helicopter crashed in Kendal Regency, killing 4 on board and 5 personnels survived.
Specifications (Mil-17-1A2)