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Mil Mi-24 Hind

Mil · Attack Helicopter · Russia · Cold War (1970–1991)

Mil Mi-24 Hind — Attack Helicopter
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The Mil Mi-24 (NATO reporting name Hind) is a Soviet/Russian twin-engine attack helicopter and armed transport developed by the Mil Helicopter Plant — now Russian Helicopters JSC — and built from 1969 into the 2000s. The type entered Soviet Air Force service in 1972 and ranks among the most recognisable combat helicopters ever fielded, pairing gunship firepower with a troop cabin (8 troops plus 4 crew). Around 2,648 Mi-24/Mi-35 family aircraft have been produced. The Hind remains in active service with Russia, more than 50 foreign operators, and a number of non-state actors as of 2026.

Dimensionally, the Mi-24 measures roughly 57 ft (17.5 m) in length with a 56-ft (17.3 m) main rotor. Empty weight runs to about 18,500 lb against a 26,500-lb maximum take-off weight. Power comes from two Klimov TV3-117 turboshafts rated at roughly 2,200 shp apiece — markedly more powerful than typical attack-helicopter engines. Top speed is around 208 mph, combat radius about 250 nmi, and service ceiling 14,750 ft. What sets the Hind apart is the integration of features no other combat helicopter combines: tandem stepped cockpits for gunner and pilot separated from the troop bay; an 8-troop internal cabin behind the cockpit accessed via fuselage doors; twin-engine reliability with heavy fuselage armour; and 6 external hardpoints plus a nose-mounted gun. Stub wings provide additional lift and carry 4 of the hardpoints for weapons or fuel tanks. The chin gun is a YakB-12.7 12.7mm rotary on the Mi-24V or a GSh-30K 30mm twin-barrel cannon on the Mi-24P.

The Hind's mission set folds three roles into one airframe: gunship work using the cannon, AT-2/AT-6/AT-9 anti-tank guided missiles, rocket pods, and air-to-air missiles; armed transport delivering 8 troops to a landing zone with self-escort; and reconnaissance. Western dedicated attack helicopters such as the AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache are tandem two-seaters without a troop cabin, making the Mi-24's blend unique. The configuration reflects a Soviet Cold War-era doctrine that prized integrated armed transport over the dedicated-gunship approach taken in the West.

Combat history spans Soviet, Russian, and export service across decades. The Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989) cemented the Hind's image as Soviet operations against the Mujahideen produced both heavy use and heavy losses to Stinger missiles and RPG fire. Iraqi Mi-24s flew throughout the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). African campaigns drew in Ethiopian, Angolan, Mozambican, and Sudanese aircraft, and the type appeared in the Russia-Chechnya wars and the Sri Lanka civil war. In the Russia-Ukraine war (2022-present) both sides field Mi-24/Mi-35s, and both have taken heavy losses. The Hind's combat-loss rate exceeds that of most modern combat helicopters — a function of platform age and the high-threat environments where it tends to be sent. With about 2,648 Mi-24/Mi-35s built, Russia continues Mi-35M production for export at Russian Helicopters' Rostvertol facility in Rostov-on-Don.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Mil Mi-24 (NATO code Hind) is a Russian attack helicopter that can also carry troops. The Mi-24 first flew in 1969 and entered service in 1972. It is one of the most famous combat helicopters in the world.

The Mi-24 is 57 feet long, longer than a school bus. Two Klimov engines each make 2,200 horsepower. Top speed is 208 mph, faster than a high-speed train. The helicopter has heavy armor and can carry 8 soldiers in a back cabin, plus a pilot and gunner in front.

The Hind has a big gun in the nose plus rockets, missiles, and bombs under stubby wings on the sides. Most attack helicopters have no place for troops, but the Mi-24 can both fight and drop off soldiers. This makes it unusual: like a flying tank with a bus inside.

About 2,648 Hinds have been built. More than 50 countries fly them. The Mi-24 fought in many wars, including Afghanistan in the 1980s, Iraq, several African conflicts, and Ukraine today. The Mi-24 is still in service after more than 50 years.

Fun Facts

  • The Mi-24 is one of the few attack helicopters that can also carry 8 soldiers in the back.
  • Top speed is 208 mph, faster than a high-speed train.
  • The Mi-24 is 57 feet long, longer than a school bus.
  • The Hind is heavily armored, sometimes called a flying tank.
  • About 2,648 Mi-24s have been built since 1969.
  • More than 50 countries fly the Hind today.
  • The Mi-24 has fought in wars on 4 continents.

Kids’ Questions

Why can it carry troops?

Most attack helicopters like the American AH-64 Apache only have room for two pilots. The Mi-24 has a back cabin with 8 seats for soldiers. Soviet planners wanted one helicopter that could attack enemies and drop off troops at the same place. The trade-off is that the Mi-24 is heavier and slower than the Apache.

Why is it called a flying tank?

The Mi-24 has heavy armor to protect the crew. Steel plates around the pilot and gunner stop bullets and small rocket pieces. The blades are made of strong materials that keep flying even with some damage. This armor makes the Mi-24 heavy, but it can survive hits that would down lighter helicopters.

How long will it fly?

The Mi-24 has been in service since 1972, over 50 years. Newer versions like the Mi-35 keep the design fresh with better engines, sensors, and missiles. Russia has no replacement ready, so the Mi-24 family will likely fly until at least the 2030s. About 50 other countries also keep their Mi-24s flying.

Variants

Mi-24A 'Hind-A' (1972)
Original 1972 production variant with single-piece cockpit glazing and basic mission systems. Around 250 built. Used heavily in early Soviet operations.
Mi-24V / Mi-24D 'Hind-D / Hind-E' (mid-1970s)
Redesigned mid-1970s variants introducing tandem stepped cockpits, updated mission systems, and expanded weapons compatibility including AT-6 and AT-9 anti-tank guided missiles. The most-produced Hinds and the backbone of Soviet/Russian operations from the 1980s through the 1990s.
Mi-24P 'Hind-F'
Cannon-armed variant fitting the GSh-30K twin-barrel 30mm in place of the YakB 12.7mm. Around 250 built for the Soviet Air Force. Currently in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Mi-35 / Mi-35M (2000+)
Export-oriented update from 2000 with a glass cockpit, updated mission systems, and expanded weapons compatibility. National-specific configurations exist. Currently in production at Russian Helicopters' Rostvertol facility.
Mi-25 (export designation)
Russian export designation for Mi-24V/Mi-24D variants. Used for export contracts and functionally similar to the Mi-24V/Mi-24D.

Notable Operators

Russian Aerospace Forces
Largest operator with 250+ Mi-24/Mi-35s in active service across multiple regiments. Combat-deployed extensively in the Russia-Ukraine war 2022-present with heavy losses.
Foreign / international operators (50+ nations)
Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, Cuba (former), Cyprus, Czech Republic (former), Djibouti (former), Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Macedonia, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe, plus several non-state actors. Total: 50+ nations historically and currently.
Production / future
Production continues at Russian Helicopters' Rostvertol facility in Rostov-on-Don for Mi-35M export variants. Russian internal procurement of new Mi-35 variants resumed in the 2020s.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Mi-24 carry troops?

It was a Soviet doctrinal choice. Cold War combat-helicopter doctrine in the USSR fused attack firepower with troop-transport in a single platform: the Hind was meant to conduct armed reconnaissance, close air support, and armed transport at once, delivering battalion-level combined-arms punch. Western doctrine split these roles between dedicated gunships (AH-1, AH-64) and transport types (UH-1, UH-60). The trade-off is real — the Mi-24 is heavier and more complex than a dedicated gunship — but the combined-role flexibility remains valuable to today's Russian and foreign operators, especially those that cannot afford separate fleets.

How does Mi-24 compare to AH-64 Apache?

The two reflect different design philosophies. The AH-64 Apache is a dedicated attack helicopter with 2 crew (pilot and gunner), no troop bay, and current-generation mission systems. The Mi-24 Hind combines armed transport with attack work, carrying 4 crew (pilot, gunner, 2 doormen) plus 8 troops, with simpler mission systems. The Apache is superior in the pure attack role thanks to better sensors, weapons, and survivability; the Hind offers transport flexibility the Apache lacks. Both have proven effective in combat within their respective doctrines.

What was Mi-24's role in Soviet-Afghan War?

It was central. From 1979 to 1989 Soviet Mi-24s conducted extensive operations against the Afghan Mujahideen — initially with marked success against poorly-equipped resistance fighters, then with mounting losses after U.S.-supplied Stinger surface-to-air missiles arrived from 1986. Total Soviet Mi-24 losses in the Afghan War reached around 333 aircraft, roughly 75% of the deployed fleet. The Hind became symbolic of Soviet involvement in the conflict, both for its capability and for those losses. The Stinger experience demonstrated that combat helicopters were vulnerable even to shoulder-fired SAMs — a lesson that has shaped helicopter design and tactics ever since.

Has Mi-24 been used in Ukraine?

Yes, extensively. Both the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Ukrainian Air Force operate Mi-24/Mi-35 family aircraft. Throughout the Russia-Ukraine war (2014-present) both sides have used the type for close air support and reconnaissance, with heavy combat losses on each side — Russian Mi-24/Mi-35s falling to Ukrainian Stinger and Igla missiles and air-to-air engagements, Ukrainian Hinds lost to Russian SAMs and air-to-air. Performance in this peer-conflict environment has been mixed: useful when escorted by suppression assets, vulnerable to modern SAMs without that support. Continued use despite the vulnerabilities reflects (1) limited alternatives available to either side, (2) the front-line need for armed helicopter firepower, and (3) legacy fleets that cannot be quickly replaced.

How many Mi-24 / Mi-35 are still in service?

Roughly 600-800 Mi-24/Mi-35s remain in active service globally as of 2026, from a total of about 2,648 produced. Russia operates 250+; Ukraine fields 50-100 after heavy losses since 2022; the remaining ~50 operators together account for 300-400. Production of the Mi-35M continues at Rostvertol for export. The Hind's longevity reflects both its frontline usefulness and the limited replacement budgets of many operators, and the family will likely remain in service with several nations through 2030 and beyond.

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