Mi-28NM Havoc: Russia’s Upgraded Night Attack Helicopter
The Mi-28NM Havoc represents a significant evolution of the Russian Mi-28 family of dedicated attack helicopters. Designed for day-night, all-weather operations in contested environments, this tandem-seat gunship excels in anti-armor missions, close air support, reconnaissance, and limited air-to-air engagements. Building on combat lessons from Syria and other operations, the NM variant incorporates enhanced sensors, improved performance, and modern weaponry to counter armored threats and low-flying targets effectively. Its robust design prioritizes survivability, allowing it to operate in high-threat scenarios while providing lethal precision firepower.
Manufacturer
The Mi-28NM is manufactured by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (part of Russian Helicopters), with final assembly primarily at Rostvertol. Russia is the country of origin. It was developed as an upgrade to the Mi-28N “Night Hunter,” with the NM variant entering focused production and upgrades in the late 2010s to early 2020s. Its primary purpose is to serve as a frontline anti-tank and fire support platform for Russian ground forces.
Speed and Range
The Mi-28NM achieves a maximum speed of approximately 320-324 km/h and a cruise speed around 265-270 km/h. Combat range is typically 450-500 km, with a ferry range extending to about 1,100 km using external tanks. Service ceiling reaches around 5,600-5,700 m, with good hover performance. These improvements stem from new rotor blades and more powerful engines.
Cost/Price
Unit costs for Mi-28 variants, including the NM, are estimated in the $15-18 million range (export or production costs vary with configuration and support packages), making it more affordable than many Western counterparts while offering robust capabilities.
The helicopter features a chin-mounted 30mm 2A42 cannon, stub-wing hardpoints for anti-tank guided missiles (such as Ataka, Khrizantema-VM, and Vikhr), unguided rockets, and the advanced LMUR (Izdeliye 305) multipurpose missile with standoff ranges up to 25 km. It integrates a mast-mounted H025 (or N025) radar for over-the-horizon targeting, advanced electro-optical systems, and improved electronic warfare suites. These enhancements enable superior night and adverse-weather operations compared to earlier models.
