Based on the current orderbook, it is a safe bet to say that the Mil Mi-8 (Mi-17, Mi-171) helicopters output by the Russian Helicopters holding company’s plants in Kazan and Ulan-Ude will have remained high in the near future. To maintain the machines’ competitive edge further down the line, the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (UUAP) are performing a heavy upgrade of the model.

The upgraded version, designed for commercial operators and designated as Mi-171A2, will get an advanced powerplant made up of VK-2500PS-03 engines, the Safir auxiliary power unit, advanced composite main rotor blades, X-shaped tail rotor and up-to-date KBO-17 avionics suite including the glass cockpit with five multifunction displays. The under-slung cargo lifting capacity of the advanced helicopter will grow from 4 t to 5 t, and its cruising speed will increase by 13%. There will be a considerable improvement in its operating characteristics, e.g. the main rotor blade service life is to surge by 4.5 times, that of the engine will double, and the number of rotor system lubricating points will be halved. The helicopter will carry 24 passengers (18 if advanced crash-absorbing seats are used).