The first production helicopter in theSoviet Union was theMil Mi-1, modelled along the lines of theS-51 andBristol Sycamore and flown byMikhail Mil's bureau in September 1948. During the 1950s it became evident, and confirmed by American and French development, that helicopters could be greatly improved withturbine engines. S. P. Isotov developed theGTD-350 engine and Mil used two of these in the far superior Mi-2.[1][additional citation(s) needed]
The twin shaft-turbine engines used in the Mi-2 develop 40% more power than the Mi-1's piston engines, for barely half the engine weight, with the result that the payload was more than doubled. The Mi-2 fuselage was extensively altered from its predecessor, with the engines mounted overhead. However, the external dimensions remained similar.[1][additional citation(s) needed]
The Mil-built prototype first flew in the Soviet Union on 22 September 1961, after which the final development and the production of the project was transferred to Poland in 1964. The first Świdnik-built example flew on 4 November 1965; this was the only Soviet-designed helicopter to be built solely outside the Soviet Union.PZL-Świdnik produced a total of 5,497 helicopters, about a third for military users. The factory also developed fiberglass rotor blades, and developed the wide-body Mi-2M seating 10 passengers instead of eight. Most typical role-change kits include four stretchers forair ambulance usage, or aerospraying or cropdusting applications.[1][3]
In Poland, several specialized military variants were also developed in early 1970s for support or training roles, with 23 mmautocannon, machine guns and/or two 57 mm rocket pods, four9K11 Malyutka anti-tank missiles orStrela-2 AA missiles.[4]
Most of the armed Mi-2 variants were used byPoland. Some were also used by the formerEast Germany (with 7.62 mm machine gun and 57 mm unguided rocket armament only).[6]
North Korea still maintains a large active fleet of Mi-2s.[7]
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces were recorded capturing three Mi-2 helicopters in Kherson International Airport.[8]
The helicopter is also used to spray agricultural chemicals by private owners in Ukraine. Two people were killed in a crash in 2021 near Zaive, in the region ofMykolaiv.[9] Another two people died in a crash of Kharkiv Air Force University (203rd Training Aviation Brigade) Mi-2 crash in September 2024.[10]
On 26 October 2024, a medical Mi-2 helicopter crashed in Kirov region in Russia, killing all four aboard, including a pilot, a doctor, and two paramedics.[11]
As of 8 March 2025, Ukraine has lost six Mi-2 helicopters, including three which were captured by Russian forces.[12]
Aerial minelayer version with 20 tube launchers on external pods and in left cab door, each for six or nine mines. 18 converted for Polish Army starting from 1989.[13]
Mi-2A
Mi-2B
Upgraded export version for the Middle East, fitted with improved systems and navigational aids.
Mi-2Ch Chekla
Chemical reconnaissance / smokescreen layer version.
Mi-2D Przełącznik
Aerial command post equipped with R-111 radio.
Mi-2FM
Survey version.
Mi-2P
Passenger / cargo version, with accommodation for 6 passengers.
Mi-2R
Agricultural version.
Mi-2RL
Land rescue/ambulance version.
Mi-2RM
Sea rescue version equipped with electric winch for two people and dropped rafts.
Air ambulance version, equipped to carry four stretcher, plus an attendant.
Mi-2Sz
Dual-control training version.
Mi-2T
Cargo/utility version.
Mi-2U
Dual-control training version.
Mi-2US
Armed version fitted with a fixed 23mmNS-23 cannon, 4 × 7.62mmPKT machine gun pods and optional cabin PK machine gun. 30 built for the Polish Army in 1972-73.[4] Similar without a cannon built for East Germany.[6]
Armed variant with a fixed 23mmNS-23 gun and two 16×57mmS-5 unguided rocket pods Mars-2. Optional 7,62mm PK machine gun window-mounted. 7 built for Polish Army in 1973 and 18 rebuilt from Mi-2US.[4] Similar without a cannon built for East Germany.[6]
Anti-tank variant, armed with 23mmNS-23 gun, optional window-mounted 7.62mm PK machine gun, and 4 ×AT-3 Sagger (9M14M Malutka) wire-guided missiles on external weapons racks and 4 × additional missiles in the cargo compartment. Two rebuilt and 44 built for Polish Army in 1975-84.[4]
Modernized byMotor Sich to passenger-transport version for the civil aviation.[14][15][16]
Mi-2MSB-V or MSB-2MO
Modernized by Motor Sich forUkrainian Air Force.[17] Original engine replaced with AI-450M 465 hp (347 kW) engine, armed with rocket and machine gun pods, IR-jamming system and flares dispenser for defence againstMANPADS.[18]
Total six, all in civilian companies. The Sky company (former Star Aerospace and also former Star Airline) has four; one borrowed, three bought. The companies Pearl Korea and Heliworld have one each.[27]
Rochowicz, Robert (November 2021). "Lotnictwo wojsk lądowych w ludowym Wojsku Polskim" [Ground forces' aviation in people's Polish Army].Nowa Technika Wojskowa (in Polish). Vol. 4/2021.ISSN1230-1655.
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