MI-8 (MI 17) HIP MULTI-MISSION HELICOPTER, RUSSIA
More than 12,000 Mi-8 (NATO codename Hip) multi-purpose helicopters have been produced with more than 2,800 exported and they are operational with over 50 air forces worldwide.
The helicopters are manufactured by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant JSC in Moscow and the Kazan Helicopter Plant JSC in Kazan and are available in civil and military versions. The military variants include the Mi-8T transport, VIP transport, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, Mi-8TV armed version and the search and rescue Mi-8MPS. Recent orders include 40 Mi-8TV helicopters for India to be fitted with Vikhr-M (AT-16) air-to-surface missiles, delivered by the end of 2001.