Mil Mi-8T Hip

The Mi-8 first flew in 1960 and is still in production with over 17,000 examples produced – earning the Hip the accolade as the world’s most numerous helicopter. The most recent versions of the Mi-8 are also known as the Mi-171 featuring more powerful engines and a better cargo capacity in addition to modernised avionics. One of the most recent versions is designated the Mi-8AMTSh which has been developed to be used as an assault helicopter which can be armed with a variety of weapons and modern satellite based navigation systems.

Lithuania operate the Mi-8T primarily for Search and Rescue, Fire Fighting and Organ Transport duties, these will be replaced later in 2024 and early 2025 by the UH-60 Black Hawk. During 2023 Lithuania diverted a pair of Mi-8s to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Lithuania will be sending an Mi-8T for static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of our NATO 75th anniversary celebrations.

Photo credit: Peter Reoch