The Mil Mi-17 (NATO reporting name: Hip) is a Soviet-designed Russian military helicopter family introduced in 1975 (Mi-8M), continuing in production as of 2024[update] at two factories, in Kazan and Ulan-Ude.

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.

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 armour plates around the cockpit area and engines.

"[4] Royal Cambodian Air Force Mi-17s were used during the Cambodian government's offensives; by 1994 ten operational airframes were in service, with five converted to helicopter gunships equipped with 57 mm S-5 rocket pods, providing air support for ground forces attacking the Khmer Rouge positions.

In 1996 the Government launched an offensive during the dry season at the Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Veng and Pailin, using five Mi-17 gunships and eight Mi-17-Mi-8 troops transports.

[8] US Army Special Forces in Afghanistan extensively used CIA-operated Mi-17s during the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Mexican Navy uses its Mi-17s for anti-narcotic operations such as locating marijuana fields and dispatching marines to eradicate the plantations.

[11] During the Tham Luang cave rescue in July 2018, the Royal Thai Army used the Mi-17 helicopter for searching operations, and evacuating the first batch of survivors from Tham Luang to Chiang Rai hospital;[12] on 10 July 2018 a Mil Mi-17 helicopter took the last evacuated boy to the hospital.

[15] 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.

[16] Flight International quotes the Thai Army's rationale: "We are buying three Mi-17 helicopters for the price of one Black Hawk.

"[17] 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.

[24] 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.

[32] In 2011, Chief of Staff of the Afghan National Army Abdul Wahab Wardak announced that the US government would buy Mi-17s for use by Afghanistan's troops.

[53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61] On 27 July 2022, the Philippine government canceled the deal to purchase 16 Mi-17 helicopters due to fears of possible US sanctions.

[62] In 2021 Russia offered the Argentine Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopters as part of a bigger arms deals.

[69] Data from Russian Helicopters[207]General characteristics Performance Armament Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era