Mil Mi-28

The Mil Mi‑28, nicknamed the 'Havoc', is a Russian all‑weather, two‑seat attack helicopter produced by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. Development began in the early 1970s as a response to the Soviet Air Force’s need for a dedicated gunship capable of autonomous strike missions, and the prototype first flew on 22 September 1979. After extensive testing, the Mi‑28 entered service in 1987, later upgraded to the Mi‑28N (also known as the Havoc‑B) with advanced avionics, night‑vision equipment, and a more powerful Klimov VK‑2500 engine. Key features include a tandem cockpit with armored titanium bubble canopy, a four‑blade main rotor, and a weapons suite that can carry a 30 mm cannon, rockets, anti‑tank guided missiles and precision‑guided bombs. Its heavily armored airframe and redundant flight‑control systems give it survivability in high‑threat environments. The Mi‑28 has been exported to several countries and has seen combat in Chechnya, Syria and the 2022‑23 Russian‑Ukrainian conflict, demonstrating its capability to conduct low‑level attack and close‑air support. The helicopter’s blend of firepower, survivability and modern avionics makes it a cornerstone of contemporary rotary‑wing attack platforms and a significant milestone in the evolution of combat aviation.

Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant

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