Mil Mi-2

The Mi-2 was produced exclusively in Poland, in the WSK PZL-Świdnik factory in Świdnik.

The first production helicopter in the Soviet Union was the Mil Mi-1, modelled along the lines of the S-51 and Bristol Sycamore and flown by Mikhail 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 with turbine engines. S. P. Isotov developed the GTD-350 engine and Mil used two of these in the far superior Mi-2.{{additional citations needed|date=April 2025}}

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.{{additional citations needed|date=April 2025}}

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 for air ambulance usage, or aerospraying or cropdusting applications.{{cite book |last= Chant|first=Christopher |date=June 3, 2014 |title=A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware (Routledge Revivals)|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Compendium_of_Armaments_and_Military_H/zUu4AwAAQBAJ|publisher= Taylor & Francis |page= 481|isbn= 9781134646685|access-date=April 13, 2025}}

In Poland, several specialized military variants were also developed in early 1970s for support or training roles, with 23 mm autocannon, machine guns and/or two 57 mm rocket pods, four 9K11 Malyutka anti-tank missiles or Strela-2 AA missiles.{{sfn|Rochowicz|2021|p=92-93}}

{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2021}}

The Mi-2 was first introduced into the Soviet Air Force in 1965. The Mi-2 is used by mainly former Soviet and Eastern Bloc countries, although it was also purchased by the armed forces of Mexico and Myanmar.

Most of the armed Mi-2 variants were used by Poland. Some were also used by the former East Germany (with 7.62 mm machine gun and 57 mm unguided rocket armament only).{{cite magazine|first1=Thomas|last1=Girke|first2=Georg|last2=Bader|title=NRD-owskie Mi-2|trans-title=DDR's Mi-2|magazine=Lotnictwo Wojskowe |volume=2(5)/1999|date=March–April 1999|publisher=Magnum-X|pages=46–48|lang=pl}}

North Korea still maintains a large active fleet of Mi-2s.{{Cite web |last=Embraer |first=In association with |title=2024 World Air Forces directory |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2024-world-air-forces-directory/156008.article |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces were recorded capturing three Mi-2 helicopters in Kherson International Airport.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/08/20/russia-captured-three-of-ukraines-smallest-helicopters-so-ukraines-allies-sent-three-replacements/?sh=7ca64b943724|title=Russia Captured Three Of Ukraine's Smallest Helicopters. So Ukraine's Allies Sent Three Replacements.|date=18 August 2022|work=Forbes}}

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 of Mykolaiv.{{cite web | title=2 killed in helicopter crash in Ukraine | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/2-killed-in-helicopter-crash-in-ukraine-284628 | date=17 July 2021 }} Another two people died in a crash of Kharkiv Air Force University (203rd Training Aviation Brigade) Mi-2 crash on 1.9.2024. {{cite web | title=Ukrainian Air Force Mi-2 of the 203rd Training Aviation Brigade crashed | url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/419457 | date=1 September 2024 }}

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.{{cite web | title=Russia Loses Two Military Helicopters in One Day | url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-war-latet-north-korea-1976062 | date=28 October 2024 }}

As of 8 March 2025, Ukraine lost 6 Mi-2 helicopters, in which 3 were captured by Russian forces.{{Cite web |last=Oryx |title=List Of Aircraft Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/03/list-of-aircraft-losses-during-2022.html |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Oryx}}

{{More citations needed section|date=January 2021}}

File:Mi-2Ch Cracow 1.jpg]]

File:Mi-2 Plus Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe.jpg in Poland]]

File:PL MWP Mi-2P.JPG Museum in Warsaw.]]

File:Mi-2MSB, podczas zawodów śmigłowcowych.jpg

;V-2

:First prototype.

;V-2V

:Armament prototype.

;Mi-2 Platan

: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.{{sfn|Rochowicz|2021|p=97}}

;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.

;Mi-2Ro

:Reconnaissance version equipped with cameras.

;UMi-2Ro

:Reconnaissance trainer version.

;Mi-2RS Padalec ('Slowworm')

:Chemical and biohazard reconnaissance version.

;Mi-2S

: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 23mm NS-23 cannon, 4 x 7,62mm PKT machine gun pods and optional cabin PK machine gun. 30 built for Polish Army in 1972-73.{{sfn|Rochowicz|2021|p=92-93}} Similar without a cannon built for East Germany.

;Mi-2URN Żmija ('Viper')

:Armed variant with a fixed 23mm NS-23 gun and two 16x57mm S-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.{{sfn|Rochowicz|2021|p=92-93}} Similar without a cannon built for East Germany.

;Mi-2URP Salamandra ('Salamander')

:Anti-tank variant, armed with 23mm NS-23 gun, optional window-mounted 7,62mm PK machine gun, and 4x AT-3 Sagger (9M14M Malutka) wire-guided missiles on external weapons racks and 4x additional missiles in the cargo compartment. Two rebuilt and 44 built for Polish Army in 1975-84.{{sfn|Rochowicz|2021|p=92-93}}

;Mi-2URP-G Gniewosz ('Smooth snake')

:Mi-2URP with additional 4x AA missiles Strzała-2 (Strela 2) in two Gad rocket launchers. Six rebuilt in 1988.{{sfn|Rochowicz|2021|p=97}}

;Mi-2 Plus

:Upgraded Mi-2 with uprated GTD-350W2 engines, all-composite rotor blades, new avionics and other modifications.

;Mi-3

:Planned Mi-2 derivative that lacked suitable engines for the program to continue.

;Mi-2MSB or MSB-2 Nadia ('Hope')

:Modernized by Motor Sich to passenger-transport version for the civil aviation.{{Cite web|url=http://www.motorsich.com/eng/press/news/polet_Mi2MSB/|title=First flight of upgraded helicopter Mi-2MSB - Motor Sich|last=Il'yashenko|first=Matviy|website=www.motorsich.com|access-date=2016-10-03}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.motorsich.com/eng/press/news/news-19.04.16/|title=The Mi-2 upgraded helicopter passed an altitude of 7 thousand meters. - Motor Sich|last=Il'yashenko|first=Matviy|website=www.motorsich.com|access-date=2016-10-03|archive-date=2016-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005084554/http://www.motorsich.com/eng/press/news/news-19.04.16/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://bastion-karpenko.ru/msb-2/|title=Modernized helicopter Mi-2MSB (Ukraine)|last=Karpenko|first=A.V.|website=bastion-karpenko.ru|access-date=2016-10-03|archive-date=2022-01-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117094433/http://bastion-karpenko.ru/msb-2/|url-status=dead}}

;Mi-2MSB-V or MSB-2MO

:Modernized by Motor Sich for Ukrainian Air Force.{{Cite web|url=http://www.defence24.com/269678,ukra...odernization-and-development-plans|title=Ukrainian Military Helicopters - Modernization And Development Plans|access-date=2016-10-03|archive-date=2016-10-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005081615/http://www.defence24.com/269678,ukra...odernization-and-development-plans|url-status=dead}} Original engine replaced with AI-450M {{cvt|465|hp|kW}} engine, armed with rocket and machine gun pods, IR-jamming system and flares dispenser for defence against MANPADS.{{cite web|url=http://www.defence24.com/mi-2msb-ukrainian-combat-variant-of-the-mi-2-helicopter#top-carousel|title=Mi-2MSB - Ukrainian Combat Variant Of The Mi-2 Helicopter|website=Defence24.com|date=October 2015 }}

;File:Mil Mi-2 Users.png{{DZA}}

• Algerian Air ForceHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 33.

;{{ARM}}

• Armenian Air Force

;{{AZE}}

• Azerbaijani Air Force

;{{BLR}}

• Belarusian Air Force{{cite web |last = |first = |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/world-air-forces-directory-2022/146695.article|title = World Air Forces 2022|publisher= Flightglobal |year= 2022 |doi = |accessdate= 10 July 2022|url-access=registration}}

;{{COD}}

• Air Force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

;{{IDN}}

• Indonesian NavyTEMPO Edisi 19-25 Maret 2007 (pp. 36-37)
• Indonesian PoliceANGKASA No.07 Edisi April 2007 (p. 16)

;{{LBY}}

• Libyan Air Force

;{{MYA}}

• Myanmar Air ForceHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 44.

;{{PRK}}

• North Korean Air ForceHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 45.

;{{PER}}

• Peruvian ArmyHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 46.

;{{KOR}}

• 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.{{cite web|url=http://atis.koca.go.kr/ATIS/aircraft/forwardPage.do?pageUrl=aircraftRegStat01|title=ATIS 항공기술정보시스템(need to manually type and search the aircraft model in "검색".)|access-date=14 July 2024}}

;{{RUS}}

• Russian Aerospace ForcesHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, pp. 47–48.

;{{SEN}}

• Senegal Air ForceHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 48.

;{{SYR}}

• Syrian Air ForceHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 50.

;{{flag|Transnistria}}

• Armed Forces of Transnistria

;{{UKR}}

• Ukrainian ArmyHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 52.
• Ukrainian Naval Aviation
• 10th Naval Aviation Brigade{{Cite web |url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/vms-otrymaly-pershyj-mi-2msb/ |title=ВМС отримали перший Мі-2МСБ. 08.02.2021 |accessdate=8 February 2021 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208140419/https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/vms-otrymaly-pershyj-mi-2msb/ }}
• Ukrainian Air Guard{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2023 |date=15 February 2023 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1032508955 |page=204 |edition=1st |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies}}

;{{USA}}

• United States Army{{cite web|url=https://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/TSMO/TSMO.htm|title=United States Army Threat Systems Management Office (TSMO)|publisher=Angelfire|access-date=12 February 2013}}
• University of Iowa{{cite web|url=https://hfdata.opl.uiowa.edu/opl/?q=mi2|title=Operator Performance Labs|publisher=opl.uiowa.edu|access-date=12 February 2013}}

;{{BUL}}

• Bulgarian Air Force{{cite book |last1=Studies |first1=International Institute for Strategic |title=The Military Balance 1999-2000 |date=1999 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-922425-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EuYOAAAACAAJ |access-date=8 August 2023 |language=en}}{{rp|84−85}} {{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Bulgaria---Air/Mil-(PZL-Swidnik)-Mi-2/0978293/L/&sid=01fd747510cbfcda9d74648813e9153e|title=Bulgarian (PZL-Swidnik) Mi-2|publisher=Demand media|access-date=12 February 2013}}

;{{CUB}}

• Cuban Air Force{{cite web|url= http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/cuba/Cuba-af-Mi2.htm|title=Cuba Air Force Aircraft Types|publisher=aeroflight.co.uk|access-date=12 February 2013}}

;{{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} Czechoslovakia

• Czech Air Force{{cite web |year=2018 |title=World Air Forces 2018 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905/waf/ |access-date=4 August 2018 |publisher=Flightglobal Insight}}

;{{DJI}}

• Djiboutian Air Force{{cite web|url= https://xairforces.net/galleryd.asp?id=117&galleryid=618&shf=&shf3=2#.XrQviURKjcs|title=Djibouti Air Force Aircraft Types|publisher=xairforces.net|access-date=10 February 2011}}

;{{EST}}

• Estonian Air Force{{rp|87−88}}

;{{GDR}}

• East German Air Force (48 Mi-2 in 1972-1990, including Grenztruppen)
• Grenztruppen

;{{GER}}

• German Air Force (25 in 1991-1995)
• German State Police{{cite web |title=Mil Mi-2 datbase |url=http://www.helicopter-database.de/mi2_search.php?type=99999®=&cn=&batch=99999&operator=348&category=99999&sortby=99999&acindex=__ |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=helicopter-database.de}}{{cite web |title=Polizei Mil Mi-2 (PZL-Swidnik) |url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Polizei/Mil-(PZL-Swidnik)-Mi-2.../0237584/L/ |access-date=12 February 2013 |publisher=Demand media}}

;{{flag|Ghana}}

• Ghana Air Force

;{{HUN}}

• Hungarian Air Force{{rp|60−61}}
• Hungarian Police{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/hung/pol/hung-pol-home.htm|title=Hungary Police Aviation|publisher=aeroflight.co.uk|access-date=12 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111155914/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/hung/pol/hung-pol-home.htm|archive-date=11 January 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Hungary---Police/Mil-(PZL-Swidnik)-Mi-2/1975901/L/&sid=e5e4f2eb7899ae70a7fc6c6f7105cedf|title=Hungary Police Mil Mi-2|publisher=Demand media|access-date=12 February 2013}}

;{{LAT}}

• Latvian Air ForceHoyle and Farfad Flight International 10–16 December 2019, p. 43.

;{{LIT}}

• Lithuanian Air Force{{rp|92−93}}{{cite web|url=http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7373207|title=Lithuania - Air Force Mil Mi-2|publisher=jetphotos.net|access-date=12 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508232837/http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7373207|archive-date=8 May 2015}}

;{{flag|Liberia}}

• Justice Air Wing

;{{MEX}}

• Mexican Navy{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/americas/mexico/mex-naval-aircraft.htm|title=Mexican Armada|publisher=aeroflight.co.uk|access-date=15 February 2013}}

;{{MNG}}

• Mongolian Air Force[http://www.worldairforces.com/countries/mongolia/mon.html World Air Forces - Historical Listings Mongolia (MON)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905025517/http://www.worldairforces.com/Countries/mongolia/mon.html |date=2012-09-05 }}. worldairforces.com. Retrieved on 2013-08-27.

;{{NIC}}

• Nicaraguan Air Force{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/emptys/101015/world-air-forces-2013.pdf|title=World Air Forces 2013|publisher=Flightglobal Insight|access-date=15 February 2013}}

;{{POL}}File:Polish Mi-2 (cropped)).jpg

File:Mi-2(SP-SXA).jpg]]

• Polish Air Force{{cite journal |author=International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) |author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=2023 |title=The Military Balance 2023 |journal=The Military Balance |language=en |volume=}}
• Polish Army
• Polish Border Guard
• Polish Navy

;{{RUS}}

• Russian Army{{cite web|title=Mi-2 Helicopter. History of Development|url=http://www.mi-helicopter.ru/eng/index.php?id=123|access-date=15 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330164151/http://www.mi-helicopter.ru/eng/index.php?id=123|archive-date=30 March 2012}}

;{{SVK}}

• Slovak Air Force

;{{UKR}}

• Ukrainian Air Force{{cite book |last1=Studies (IISS) |first1=The International Institute for Strategic |title=The Military Balance 2014 |date=24 December 2021 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-67421-7 |pages=194−197 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LDNVEAAAQBAJ |access-date=8 August 2023 |language=en}}

;{{USSR}}

• Aeroflot{{cite web|url=http://www.helicopter-database.de/mi2_search.php?PageSize=25|title=Mi-2 DataBase|publisher=helicopter-database.de|access-date=12 February 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=268307|title=Aeroflot Mil Mi-2|publisher=jetphotos.net|access-date=12 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628223944/http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=268307|archive-date=28 June 2015}}
• Soviet Air Force
• Soviet Army Aviation

;{{YUG}}

• Yugoslav People's Army{{cite web|title=Yugoslavian use of Mil Mi-2 in military and air ambulance use |url=http://www.mycity-military.com/Helikopteri/Mil-Mi-2-PZL-2-Kania-PZL-3-Sok.html |access-date=9 March 2015}}

File:Mil Mi-2 schema.png

{{Aircraft specs

|ref=Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83Taylor 1982, pp. 169–170.

|prime units?=met

|crew=One

|capacity=8 passengers / {{cvt|700|kg|0}} internal cargo / {{cvt|800|kg|0}} external cargo

|length m=11.4

|length note=

|height m=3.75

|height note=

|empty weight kg=2372

|empty weight note=

|gross weight kg=3550

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight kg=3700

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number=2

|eng1 name=PZL GTD-350P

|eng1 type=turboshaft engines

|eng1 shp=400

|eng1 note=

|rot number=1

|rot dia m=14.5

|rot area sqm=165.15

|rot area note=

• Blade section: NACA 23012M{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}

|max speed kmh=200

|max speed note=

|cruise speed kmh=

|cruise speed note=

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed note=

|range km=440

|range note=(max internal fuel, no reserves)

|combat range km=

|combat range note=

|ferry range km=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling m=4000

|ceiling note=

|climb rate ms=4.5

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|disk loading kg/m2=22.41

|disk loading note=

|fuel consumption kg/km=

|power/mass={{cvt|0.0806|kW/kg}}

|more performance=

|avionics=

}}

{{aircontent

|related=

• PZL Kania

|similar aircraft=

• Bell 204/205

|lists=

• List of most-produced rotorcraft

}}

{{Reflist}}

• Hoyle, Craig and Fafard, Antoine. "World Air Forces Directory". Flight International, 10–16 December 2019, Volume 196, issue 5716. pp. 26–54.
• Mondey, David, Encyclopedia of The World's Commercial and Private Aircraft. Crescent Books, New York NY, 1981. p. 245, "WSK-Swidnik Mi-2 Hoplite"
• Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. {{ISBN|0 7106-0748-2}}.
• [http://www.helicopter-database.net/mi2.php Mi-2 DataBase] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723143203/http://www.helicopter-database.net/mi2.php |date=2011-07-23 }}
• [http://www.helicopter-database.net/photo.php Mi-2 Photo Gallery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103170633/http://www.helicopter-database.net/photo.php |date=2019-01-03 }}
• {{Cite magazine|last=Rochowicz |first=Robert |title=Lotnictwo wojsk lądowych w ludowym Wojsku Polskim|trans-title=Ground forces' aviation in people's Polish Army|magazine= Nowa Technika Wojskowa|volume=4/2021 |date=November 2021 |issn = 1230-1655|lang=pl}}

{{Commons|Mil Mi-2}}

{{Mil aircraft}}

{{YAF aircraft}}

{{Authority control}}

Mi-02

Category:Mil aircraft

Category:1960s Soviet civil utility aircraft

Category:1960s Soviet military utility aircraft

Category:Poland–Soviet Union relations

Category:1960s Soviet helicopters

Category:PZL aircraft

Category:1960s Polish helicopters

Category:Twin-turbine helicopters

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1961

Category:Single-rotor helicopters

Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear