Russia has developed a new version of the Mi-8 helicopter equipped with an electronic warfare system designed to interfere with the navigation of Ukrainian long-range drones, according to expert assessments based on recently released images.
According to a report by the Ukrainian defense website Militarnyi, the aircraft received several antenna panels installed along the sides of its fuselage. The equipment appears to cover a sector of approximately 180 degrees on each side, providing nearly complete coverage around the helicopter.
Analysts believe the system was not developed to disrupt radio-controlled drones operating near the front line, as its effective range would be limited for this type of mission.
Instead, the main hypothesis is that the equipment has been optimized to interfere with satellite navigation signals used by long-range strike drones, causing them to deviate from their routes or fail to reach their targets.
There is still no official confirmation of the equipment’s capabilities or information about its operational performance. The assessments are based exclusively on publicly available images and analyses conducted by open-source intelligence (OSINT) specialists.
Should it enter service, the system could expand Russia’s ability to protect strategic infrastructure against Ukrainian drone operations, which have reached targets increasingly far inside Russian territory.
Mil Mi-8 helicopter
The Mi-8 is a medium utility helicopter developed by the former Soviet Union and widely operated by Russia in military and civilian missions. Equipped with two engines and a five-blade main rotor, the model can transport troops, cargo and equipment, as well as perform evacuation, search and rescue, logistical support and combat operations.
Since entering service in the 1960s, it has become one of the most widely produced and operated helicopters in the world.
According to a report by the private analytics company Dallas Analytics, Russia intends to increase production of this type of aircraft and manufacture 72 Mi-8MTV-1 multirole helicopters between 2026 and 2027.
The forecast indicates that the Kazan Helicopter Plant could deliver at least 37 aircraft as early as 2026, a volume that, according to analysts, significantly exceeds previous estimates for the Mi-8 production rate.
Source and images: Militarnyi | Dallas Analytics | Telegram @warhistoryalconafter | Wikimedia. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
