List of Mil Mi-8/17 operators explained

The following nations currently operate (or formerly owned) Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters in civil or military roles:

Military operators

Afghanistan

• Afghan Air Force^[1]

Algeria

• Algerian Air Force^[1]

Angola

• Angolan Air Defence Force^[1]

Argentina

• Argentine Air Force^[1]

Armenia

• Armenian Air Force^[1]

Azerbaijan

• Azerbaijan Air Force^[1]

Bangladesh

• Bangladesh Air Force^[1]
• Bangladesh Army^[1]
• Border Guards Bangladesh^[2]

Belarus

• Belarus Air Force^[1]

Bhutan

• Royal Bhutan Army^[1]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Bosnia and Herzegovina Air Force^[1]

Bulgaria

• Bulgarian Air Force^[1]

Burkina Faso

• Burkina Faso Air Force^[1]

Cambodia

• Royal Cambodian Air Force^[1]

Cameroon

• Cameroon Air Force^[3]

Chad

• Chad Air Force^[1]

China

• People's Liberation Air Force^[1]
• People's Liberation Army^[1]

Colombia

• Colombian National Army Aviation^[1]

Republic of the Congo

• Congolese Air Force^[1]

Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Congo Democratic Air Force^[1]

Croatia

• Croatian Air Force^[1]

On 19 October 2023, Croatia announced that it would send its entire fleet of Mi-8 helicopter to Ukraine.^[4]

Cuba

• Cuban Air Force^[1]

Czech Republic

• Czech Air Force^[1]

Djibouti

• Djibouti Air Force^[1]

Ecuador

• Ecuadorian Army^[1]

Egypt

• Egyptian Air Force^[1]

Equatorial Guinea

• Equatorial Guinea Air Force^[5]

Eritrea

• Eritrean Air Force^[1]

Ethiopia

• Ethiopian Air Force^[1]

Georgia

• Georgian Air Force^[1]
• Georgian Land Forces^[1]

Ghana

• Ghana Air Force^[1]

Guinea

• Military of Guinea^[1]

India

• Indian Air Force^[1]

Indonesia

• Indonesian Army^[1]
• Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management^[6]

Iran

• Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Aviation^[1]

Iraq

• Iraqi Army^[1]
• Peshmerga (Kurdistan)^[7]

Kazakhstan

• Kazakh Air Defence Force^[1]

Kenya

• Kenya Air Force^[1]

Kyrgyzstan

• Kyrgyzstan Air Force^[1]

Laos

• Laotian Air Force^[1]

Libya

• Libyan Air Force^[1]

Lithuania

• Lithuanian Air Force^[1]

Mali

• Malian Air Force^[8]

Mexico

• Mexican Air Force^[1]
• Mexican Naval Aviation^[1]

Moldova

• Moldovan Air Force^[1]
• Transnistria Air Force 1 active on Tiraspol Airport, 9 stored

Mongolia

• Mongolian Air Force^[1]

Mozambique

• Military of Mozambique^[1]

Myanmar

• Myanmar Air Force^[1]

Namibia

• Namibian Air Force^[1]

Nepal

• Nepalese Army Air Service^[1]

Nicaragua

• Nicaraguan Air Force^[1]

Niger

• Niger Air Force^[1]

Nigeria

• Nigerian Air Force^[1]

North Korea

• North Korean Air Force^[1]

North Macedonia

• North Macedonia Air Force^[1]

Pakistan

• Pakistan Air Force^[1]
• Pakistan Army^[1]

Peru

• Peruvian Air Force^[1]
• Peruvian Army^[1]
• Peruvian Navy^[1]

Poland

• Polish Air Force^[1]
• Polish Land Forces^[1]
• Polish Navy^[1]

Russia

• Russian Air Force^[1]
• Russian Naval Aviation^[1]

Rwanda

• Rwandan Defence Forces^[1]

Serbia

• Serbian Air Force^[1]

Senegal

• Senegalese Air Force^[1]

Sierra Leone

• Sierra Leone Armed Forces^[1]

Slovakia

• Slovak Air Force^[1]

South Sudan

• Sudan People's Liberation Army^[1]

Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka Air Force^[1]
• Sri Lanka Navy^[1]

Sudan

• Sudanese Air Force^[1]

Syria

• Syrian Air Force^[1]

Tajikistan

• Tajikistan Air Force^[1]

Turkmenistan

• Turkmen Air Force^[1]
• Ministry of Health^[9]

Thailand

• Royal Thai Army^[1]

Uganda

• Ugandan Air Force^[1]

Ukraine

• Ukrainian Ground Forces^[1]

United States

• US Army Test and Evaluation Command^[1]

Uzbekistan

• Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces^[1]

Venezuela

• Venezuelan Air Force^[1]
• Venezuelan Army^[1]
• Venezuelan Navy^[1]

Vietnam

• Vietnam People's Air Force^[1]

Yemen

• Yemeni Air Force^[1]

Zambia

• Zambia Air Force^[1]

Zimbabwe

• Air Force of Zimbabwe^[1]

Para-military, law enforcement and other government operators

Bangladesh

• Border Guards Bangladesh^{[10] [11] [12]}

Equatorial Guinea

• Government of Equatorial Guinea^[13]

Georgia

• Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia^[14]

Indonesia

• National Disaster Management Authority^[15]

North Macedonia

• Ministry of Internal Affairs^[16]

Malaysia

• Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department^[17]

Pakistan

• Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa^{[18] [19]}

Poland

• Polish Police^[20]

Romania

• Ministry of Internal Affairs (Romania) 3 MI 17 and 2 MI-8 ^[21]

Russia

• Border Service of Russia^[22]
• Internal Troops of Russia^[23]

Republic of Korea

• National Police Agency (South Korea)^[24]

Turkey

• Turkish Gendarmerie^[25]

Civil operators

Cuba

• Aerogaviota^[26]

India

• Pawan Hans Helicopters^[27]

Mongolia

• Mongolian Airlines^[28]

Nepal

• Shree Airlines^[29]

North Korea

• Air Koryo^[30]

Russia

• Altai Airlines^[31]

• Barkol Aviation^[32]
• Kazan Air Enterprise^[33]
• UTAir^[34]
• Vladivostok Air^[35]
• Aeroflot Airline

Slovakia

• Air Transport Europe^[36]

Turkmenistan

• Turkmenistan Airlines^[37]

United States

• Vertol Systems^[38]

Vietnam

• Vietnam Helicopter Corporation^[39]
  • Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company^[40]
  • Central Vietnam Helicopter Company^[41]
  • Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company^[42]

Former operators

Canada

• Royal Canadian Air Force^[43]
  • 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron operated four leased Russian Mil Mi-17-V5 designated as CH-178. Helicopters had assigned serial numbers 178404-178407.^[44]

Costa Rica

• Air Vigilance Service

Received a Mi-17 (Mi-8MT) donated by Nicaragua, but its operational status is doubtful due to lack of spare parts.^[45]

Czechoslovakia

• Czechoslovakian Air Force^[46]

East Germany

• East German Air Force^[47]
• East German Navy^[47]

Finland

• Finnish Army^[48]
• Finnish Border Guard^[49]

Germany

• German Air Force^[50]
• German Navy^[51]

Guinea-Bissau

• Military of Guinea-Bissau^[52]

Japan

• Aum Shinrikyo(Cult)^[53]
  • Serial No. 4K-15214. Imported from Azerbaijan in 1994 to spray chemical agents, but not given licenses and flown in Japan. In 2001, exported to Djibouti as J2-MAW.^[54]

Laos

• Lao Airlines

Latvia

• Latvian Air Force^[1]

Madagascar

• Malagasy Air Force^[55]

North Yemen

• Yemen Arab Republic Air Force

Romania

• Romanian Air Force^[56]

Serbia and Montenegro

• Serbia and Montenegro Air Force^[57]

South Yemen

• People's Democratic Republic of Yemen Air Force

Soviet Union

• Soviet Air Force^[58]
• Soviet Army Aviation^[58]
• Soviet Naval Aviation^[58]
• Aeroflot^[59]

Republika Srpska

• Srpska Air Force^[60]

Somalia

• Somali Air Corps

FR Yugoslavia

• Yugoslav Air Force^[61]
• Yugoslav Navy^[61]

United Kingdom

• Empire Test Pilots' School^{[62] [63]}

Yemen

• Yemen Air Force^[64]

See also

• Mil Mi-8
• Mil Mi-17

References

Bibliography

• Book: Cooper . Tom . Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 1: Aerial Warfare Over the South Arabian Peninsula, 1962-1994 . 2017 . Helion & Company Publishing . Solihull, UK . 978-1-912174-23-2.
• Mladenov . Alexander . Fighting Terrorism & Enforcing the Law in Russia . Air International. May 2011 . 80 . 5 . 108–114. 0306-5634.

Notes and References

1. Web site: World Air Forces 2019. Flightglobal Insight . 2019 . 3 April 2019.
2. Web site: 27 September 2021. Dhaka to buy two Russian helicopters for border guards. Gulf Times.
3. Web site: World Air Forces 2021. FlightGlobal . 4 December 2020 . 5 January 2021.
4. News: 19 October 2023 . Croatia transfers its all Mi-8 helicopters to Ukraine as military aid . MARIA TRIL. euromaidanpress.
5. Web site: Equatorial Guinea receives two passenger-configured Mi-17 helos . janes.com . 3 April 2019.
6. Web site: 8 November 2018 . Heli MI-8 Lakukan Water-Bombing Wilayah Terdampak Likuifaksi Sulteng . 19 November 2018 . bpbnnews.id . id.
7. Web site: Defense of the Peshmerga: weapons sent from Europe. 2024-01-31 . difesaonline.it . 2014-08-11 .
8. News: Mali receives 4 helicopters, weapons from Russia: Defense Minister . ANI — Sputnik . Devdiscourse . en . 1 October 2021.
9. Web site: Mitzer . Stijn . Oliemans . Joost . Patient Zero - Turkmenistan Acquires Kazan Ansat And Mi-17-1V Helicopters For Medical Air Services . Oryx Blog . 31 December 2021.
10. Web site: PM declares BGB a 'three-dimensional force' . The Daily Star. 8 November 2020 . 8 November 2020.
11. Web site: Russian copters to turn BGB into 3-dimensional force. The Independent BD . 29 October 2020.
12. Web site: Mil Mi-171E, Bangladesh - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Jet Photos . 23 March 2020 . 29 October 2020.
13. Web site: Equatorial Guinea takes delivery of two Mi-172 choppers. 2018-11-08. 2018-11-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20181108184509/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2018/november/4605-equatorial-guinea-takes-delivery-of-two-mi-172-choppers.html. dead.
14. Web site: Prime Minister of Georgia and Minister of Internal Affairs awarded MIA Officers.
15. Web site: 11 August 2016. Perawatan Helikopter Water Bombing BNPB. 11 December 2020. tirto.id. id.
16. Bozinovski . Igor . Macedonian Hawks . . March 2010 . 78 . 3 . 82 . 0306-5634.
17. Web site: Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia Mi-8/17 . 20 March 2013.
18. Web site: KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PAC Report 2007-2008 (page 28) . pakp.gov.pk . 20 March 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150114213156/http://www.pakp.gov.pk/UserFiles/File/PAC%20REPORTS/pdfreport.pdf . 14 January 2015 .
19. Web site: Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mil mi-171 . Demand media . 20 March 2013.
20. Web site: Polish Police Aviation . aeroflight.co.uk . 20 March 2013.
21. Web site: AERONAVE DIN DOTAREA I.G.Av.M.A.I.. mai.gov.ro. 16 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140221024510/http://www.aviatie.mai.gov.ro/aeronave.html. 21 February 2014. dead.
22. Mladenov Air International May 2011, p. 112.
23. Mladenov Air International May 2011, p. 114.
24. News: 200억짜리 러시아 대형헬기 'Mi-172' 타보니… . 5 April 2017. yes. National Police Agency (South Korea). 13 February 2014 .
25. Web site: Turk Jandarma Teskilati Mi-8/17 . 20 March 2013.
26. Web site: Aerogaviota fleet. aerogaviota.com . 20 March 2013.
27. Web site: Pawan Hans Helicopters . pawanhans.co.in . 20 March 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131215051900/https://www.pawanhans.co.in/site/inner.aspx?status=3&menu_id=36 . 15 December 2013 .
28. Web site: MIAT Mongolian Airlines . miat.com . 20 March 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130304031635/http://www.miat.com/en/airplanes-history . 4 March 2013 .
29. Web site: Shree Airlines fleet . shreeairlines.com . 20 March 2013 . 18 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120318041117/http://www.shreeairlines.com/our_fleet.htm . dead .
30. http://www.firstpost.com/topic/place/pyongyang-air-koryo-mi-8-flight-video-02LCP6pWNcU-1282-2.html "Air Koryo Mi-8
31. Web site: Altai Airlines fleet. avia22.ru . 20 March 2013.
32. Web site: Barkol Aviation fleet . barkol.ru . 20 March 2013 . 11 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130411061005/http://www.barkol.ru/en/business/aircrafts/-id=7.htm . dead .
33. Web site: Kazan Air Enterprise fleet . kazanavia.com . 20 March 2013.
34. Web site: UTAir fleet. utair.ru. 20 March 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130221231147/http://utair.ru/en/aircrafts/hel/index.html. 21 February 2013.
35. Web site: Vladivostok Air fleet. vladivostokavia.ru. 20 March 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130114034307/http://www.vladivostokavia.ru/en/about/air_fleet/. 14 January 2013.
36. Web site: Air Transport Europe . ate.sk . 20 March 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130409014225/http://www.ate.sk/en/special-aerial-works/ . 9 April 2013 .
37. Web site: Turkmenistan Airlines fleet . turkmenairlines.com . 20 March 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130315151651/http://www.turkmenairlines.com/index.php/en/about-company/aircrafts-parking.html . 15 March 2013 .
38. Web site: https://www.vscglobal.com .
39. Web site: VNH Mil Mi-17-1V. 2021-10-24. www.vnh.com.vn.
40. Web site: VNH North - Mil Mi-17-1V. 2021-10-24. www.vnhn.com.vn.
41. Web site: Our fleet - CONG TY TRUC THANG MIEN TRUNG (VNH CENTRAL). 2021-10-24. www.vnhc.com.vn.
42. Web site: VNH South - Mi-172. 2021-10-24. www.vnhs.com.vn.
43. Web site: Canadian Air Force - Mil CH-178 - Mil Mi-17. Casr.ca. 2013-10-04. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215526/http://www.casr.ca/101-af-ch178-mil.htm. 2013-10-04.
44. Web site: RCAF Doesn't Like To Admit it flew Russian Mil-17-V5s. 14 October 2015. The Canadian Armed Forces Dispatch. 2019-07-14.
45. Web site: Seguridad Pública vendió helicóptero donado. La Nación, Grupo Nación. 30 September 2001 . es-LA. 2023-09-11.
46. Web site: Ceskoslovenske VoJenske Letectvo Mi-17 . 20 March 2013.
47. Web site: World's Air Forces 1987 pg.50. 2013-03-20.
48. Web site: Finnish Army MI-8/17 . 20 March 2013.
49. Web site: Rajavartiolaitos Mi-8/17 . 20 March 2013.
50. Web site: Mi-8 Medium Utility Helicopter . flugzeuginfo.net . 20 March 2013.
51. Web site: Marineflieger Mi-17. 20 March 2013.
52. Web site: World's Air Forces 1987 pg.59 . flightglobal.com . 20 March 2013.
53. Web site: オウム真理教の組織犯罪活動等の実態 . 2020-05-13.
54. Web site: russianplanes.net . 2020-05-13.
55. Book: Cooper . Tom . Weinert . Peter . Hinz . Fabian . Lepko . Mark . African MiGs, Volume 2: Madagascar to Zimbabwe . 2011 . Harpia Publishing . Houston . 978-0-9825539-8-5 . 34.
56. Web site: World's Air Forces 1987 pg.80 . flightglobal.com . 20 March 2013.
57. Web site: World's Air Forces 2004 pg.84. flightglobal.com . 20 March 2013.
58. Web site: World's Air Forces 1987 pg.86. 2013-03-20.
59. Web site: AeroflotMi-8T . Demand media. 20 March 2013.
60. Web site: World's Air Forces 2004 pg.46 . flightglobal.com . 20 March 2013.
61. Web site: World's Air Forces 1987 pg.67. 2013-03-20.
62. Web site: UK showcases Mi-17 training . flightglobal.com . 20 March 2013.
63. Web site: UK flying School QinetiQ. 20 March 2013.
64. Web site: World Air Forces 2016. Flightglobal Insight. 2016. 29 July 2016. 19 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160119005850/https://flightglobal.com/asset/6297/waf/. dead.