Leaked Russian minutes point to major Mi-8 helicopter production ramp-up
Dallas Analytics has published a new article detailing the Russian plans for Mi-8MTV-1 helicopter production based on minutes obtained from a meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Gennady Abramenkov.
Leaked Russian minutes reveal Mi-8MTV-1 production target
The minutes are from a meeting concerning the production of Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters by the JSC “Kazan Helicopter Plant.” The high-level meeting took place on the 24th of February 2026, the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
🚨 Russia is preparing to significantly expand Mi-8 helicopter production. According to documents obtained by Dallas Analytics, the Kazan Helicopter Plant is scheduled to manufacture 72 Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters in 2026–2027 under Russia’s state defence order.
— Dallas Analytics (@dallas_analytic) June 8, 2026
❗This figure is nearly… pic.twitter.com/xTB3dEBqcD
Dallas Analytics states, “The document outlines Russia’s plans to organise the production of 72 Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters over the next two years under the framework of the Russian state defence order. At least 37 helicopters are scheduled to be produced in 2026 alone.”
Other information included financing for component manufacturers and coordination between the major contractors, such as Russian Helicopters, the United Engine Corporation, and the Radio-Electronic Technologies Concern (KRET).
The new documents suggest Russia may be able to produce almost double the number of Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters than previously estimated.
In 2024, the State Transport Leasing Company (GTLK) received 40 Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters built by Russia’s two main production sites in Kazan and Ulan-Ude.
Just some airframes for the spreadsheets.
— Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) April 24, 2026
🇷🇺 Rosgvardiya:
Mi-8MTV-2 RF-34229 '39 YELLOW'
Mi-8T RF-34303 '12 YELLOW' (w/o 2021?)
🇷🇺 Ministry of Emergency Situations:
Mi-38PS RF-31374
Mi-38PS RF-31375 pic.twitter.com/sU2koAOxaJ
However, the minutes suggest that the Kazan plant alone plans to produce 37 helicopters in 2026 and another 35 in 2027. It is unclear how many Ulan-Ude plans to produce, but it is believed that production is split roughly evenly between the two sites.
Dallas concludes, “Accordingly, it can be assumed that over the next two years, both enterprises could potentially manufacture up to 80 helicopters each.”
Russian helicopter production
It is difficult to estimate Russia’s total helicopter production, although this new leak does provide a valuable data point. Russia produces other military helicopters like the Mi-24/35, Mi-28, Mi-26, and Ka-52 in smaller numbers.
Mi-8MTV-1 is the primary military variant of the Mi-8/M-17 family currently in production and is used for military, paramilitary, and government roles. There are other specialised military versions in addition to these (e.g., Mi-8MTV-8), but numbers are opaque.
Importantly, civilian Mi-8 helicopters are also likely in addition to these numbers. Production numbers are unclear.
Dallas Analytics adds, “At the same time, overall production capabilities could be significantly higher, as the plants also fulfill orders for civilian structures and other government agencies.”
Rostec claimed that Russian Helicopters delivered a total of around 296 helicopters in 2022, without providing a breakdown by type.
And something I would highlight when talking about major Russian arms production facilities west of the Urals is that there is a risk that Ukrainian drones and/or missiles will "visit" the factory (in Kazan in this case).
— Jakub Janovsky (@Rebel44CZ) June 8, 2026
For reference, Airbus Helicopters delivered 392 helicopters in 2025, Boeing delivered 84 (including remanufactured airframes), Bell delivered 177, and Sikorsky delivered 110+. Most of Airbus’ and Bell’s helicopters are commercial.
Get the latest aerospace defence news here on AGN.
Replacing Russia’s attrition and fleets ageing out of service
In December 2025, the independent analytical project Frontelligence Insight estimated Russia’s military Mi-8 deliveries to be around 20 annually.
🚁 The same Ka-52 that was hit by the FPV drone of Birds of Magyar pic.twitter.com/aEGQZIRbAj
— MAKS 26 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) May 28, 2026
It concluded that this was enough to sustain wartime losses. The group estimates Russia had lost around 65 helicopters to that point in the war.
To date, Russia is confirmed by Oryx to have lost 177 helicopters during the war in Ukraine (including damaged). Of these, 51 are Mi-8s, and seven are Mi-8MTRP-1 electronic warfare variants.
Still, this doesn’t necessarily mean Russia can completely sustain its vast civilian helicopter fleets, let alone entertain exports. It is also unclear how many Russian military/government helicopters are approaching the end of their service lives.
In December 2025, AGN reported that 300 ageing Soviet-era Mi-8 ‘Hip’ are in need of retirement by 2030, an average of 60 per year. Russian news outlet Izvestia says 40 were expected to be grounded by the spring of 2026 and another 40 by the winter of 2026-2027.
In January 2026, AGN reported that a shortage of Russian civilian helicopters, coupled with low remuneration and difficulty for commercial operators in financing new helicopters, meant Russia was running out of search and rescue helicopters across much of the country. Commercial operators were turning down Russian contracts.
Featured Image: Wikimedia Commons
