A Russian-made Mi-28NE Havoc attack helicopter was seen flying over Tehran, the Iranian capital, adding to growing speculation that Iran has begun receiving one of Russia’s most capable combat rotorcraft. Video footage has appeared on social media allegedly showing the aircraft. This video emerges after images circulated online last week that appeared to show at least one Mi-28NE on the ground inside Iran, possibly at a military-related aerospace facility in the city.
While the footage and images have not been independently verified, their emergence has drawn significant attention among defense analysts and regional observers, particularly given the timing. The possible arrival of Mi-28 helicopters in Iran comes amid heightened geopolitical friction between Tehran and Washington, renewed U.S. military activity in the region, and Iran’s broader efforts to replenish and modernize its armed forces following recent regional conflicts.
The Asia Live has not been able to independently confirm when or where the video in question was recorded. The clip, which has been widely shared on X and Telegram, is of relatively low quality, making it difficult to discern specific markings or configuration details. Nevertheless, the helicopter’s silhouette, tandem cockpit layout, and distinctive sensor mast are consistent with the Mi-28 family.
The still images that began circulating earlier appear to have been taken inside or near a hangar associated with Iran’s Pars Aerospace Services Company (PASC). Located at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport, PASC has long been linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is subject to U.S. and Western sanctions. The facility is known for maintenance, overhaul, and modification work on a range of military aircraft and helicopters operated by Iran.
If the identification is correct, the presence of Mi-28NEs at a PASC-linked site would suggest that the helicopters are either newly delivered or in the process of being assembled, inspected, or integrated into Iranian service. In the images, the helicopter appears partially disassembled, further complicating efforts to assess its exact variant or equipment fit.
Additional hints of a potential Mi-28 acquisition have surfaced in Iranian media circles. On January 3, Iranian journalist Mohamad Taheri posted a message on X that read, in a machine translation from Persian, “Inshallah you have a good military service,” accompanied by a stock image of an Mi-28 in a two-tone desert camouflage scheme. Taheri has been associated with Iran’s quasi-official Tasnim News Agency, which is closely aligned with the IRGC.
Tasnim was among the first Iranian outlets to report, as early as 2023, that Tehran was in talks to acquire a range of advanced Russian military aircraft. These reportedly included Mi-28 Havoc attack helicopters, Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighters, and Yak-130 jet trainers. That same year, Yak-130s were confirmed to have entered Iranian service, marking a significant step forward in Iran’s pilot training capabilities.
The status of the Su-35 deal has remained far less clear. For some time, there was speculation that Iran might receive a batch of Su-35s originally built for Egypt, which ultimately declined to accept the aircraft, reportedly under U.S. pressure. However, at least some of those jets were later observed in Algeria, casting doubt on whether Tehran will receive the advanced fighters in the near term.
Against that backdrop, the possible delivery of Mi-28NEs would represent a tangible and visible upgrade for Iran’s rotary-wing strike capabilities, even if the scale of the acquisition remains unknown.
The Mi-28 is a two-seat, heavily armored attack helicopter originally developed by the Soviet Union as a counterpart to the Kamov Ka-50. The program dates back to the 1980s, when the prototype first flew, but progress was slow. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the project was shelved for several years amid budget constraints and shifting priorities.
The program was revived in the late 1990s and early 2000s, leading to the Mi-28N, which entered operational service with the Russian military in the late 2000s. The “N” designation stands for “Nochnoy,” or “night,” reflecting the helicopter’s intended all-weather, day-night combat capability.
An export version, the Mi-28NE, was subsequently developed and delivered to several foreign customers, including Iraq and Algeria. Over time, multiple subvariants have emerged, with differing sensor suites, defensive systems, and avionics packages depending on customer requirements.
A further upgraded version, the Mi-28NM, was developed in the 2010s for the Russian military. This variant incorporates improved avionics, weapons integration, and survivability features. However, its entry into full operational service has been slower than originally planned, in part due to technical challenges and shifting priorities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In standard configuration, the Mi-28 is armed with a 30mm Shipunov 2A42 automatic cannon mounted in a chin turret beneath the nose. This weapon provides the helicopter with significant firepower against light armored vehicles, infantry, and fortified positions. The Havoc can also carry a variety of external stores on four hardpoints mounted on short stub wings, including anti-tank guided missiles, unguided rocket pods, and bombs.
The Mi-28N introduced a mast-mounted radar above the rotor head, a feature designed to allow the helicopter to detect and track targets while remaining partially concealed behind terrain. A turreted electro-optical and infrared sensor system under the nose provides targeting and navigation capability, particularly at night or in poor weather.
The recently surfaced video appears to show a helicopter fitted with a mast-mounted radar, a noteworthy detail. Some export versions of the Mi-28 have reportedly lacked this feature, either for cost reasons or due to export restrictions. If Iran is indeed receiving Havocs equipped with mast radars and full sensor suites, it would suggest a relatively capable configuration.
The still images, however, do not provide a clear view of the nose section, where the main sensor turret and gun are located. With the helicopter partially disassembled, it remains difficult to draw firm conclusions about its final operational fit.
In 2018, Russian Helicopters, the main helicopter manufacturing conglomerate in Russia, unveiled an improved Mi-28NE variant that incorporated lessons learned from combat operations in Syria. These upgrades were aimed at enhancing survivability and reliability in harsh environments.
Among the reported improvements were a directional infrared countermeasure system designed to protect against heat-seeking missiles, enhanced armor, and updated avionics. The variant also featured improved engine air filtration systems, a particularly important feature for operations in dusty, sandy desert conditions such as those found in the Middle East.
The Mi-28 seen in the images circulating online appears to have such air filters installed, although they are partially covered by protective tarps. The helicopter also sports a digital camouflage scheme, which aligns with the upgraded NE variant unveiled in 2018.
If these observations are accurate, Iran may be receiving a relatively modern export version of the Havoc, optimized for operations in its climatic and operational environment.
For Iran, the introduction of Mi-28s would mark a notable enhancement to its attack helicopter fleet. The backbone of Iran’s current attack helicopter force remains the AH-1J International Cobra, which Tehran originally acquired from the United States during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the 1970s.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent break with Washington, Iran has been forced to sustain and upgrade these aging helicopters domestically. Over the years, the Islamic Republic has rolled out various upgrade programs, resulting in aircraft commonly referred to as Toufans or Panha 2091s. These modified Cobras feature locally developed avionics, weapons, and sensors, but they remain fundamentally based on a decades-old design.
Compared to the AH-1J, the Mi-28 offers greater survivability, heavier armor, and a larger payload. Its twin-engine design, advanced sensors, and modern defensive systems would provide Iran with a more robust platform for both conventional combat and internal security missions.
If equipped with mast-mounted radar and modern infrared sensors, Mi-28s could significantly enhance Iran’s ability to conduct night operations and operate in degraded weather conditions. This capability would be particularly relevant in scenarios involving border security, potential foreign incursions, or rapid response to internal unrest.
Despite these potential advantages, questions remain about how quickly and effectively Iran could bring Mi-28s into full operational service. Advanced attack helicopters require extensive training, maintenance infrastructure, and a steady supply of spare parts.
Russia’s own military-industrial base has been under significant strain due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Moscow’s demands for helicopters, aircraft, and other military equipment have created challenges for foreign customers seeking timely deliveries and long-term sustainment support.
Iran has experience operating and maintaining Russian-made equipment, but sustaining a modern platform like the Mi-28 over the long term could prove challenging, particularly under the weight of international sanctions. Tehran may seek to localize maintenance and eventually produce certain components domestically, but that process would likely take years.
The appearance of Mi-28 imagery in Iran may also point to a broader pattern of military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. In recent years, ties between the two countries have deepened significantly, driven in part by their shared opposition to U.S. influence and the pressure both face from Western sanctions.
Iran has been widely reported to have supplied Russia with drones and other equipment for use in Ukraine, prompting speculation that Tehran could receive advanced Russian weapons in exchange. While officials in both countries have been careful in their public statements, the pattern of exchanges has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
In January, online flight-tracking data showed at least five flights by Russian Il-76 strategic airlifters between Russia and Iran. Such aircraft are capable of transporting helicopters, either fully assembled or in parts, as well as other large military cargo. It remains unclear whether those flights were delivering equipment to Iran, carrying Iranian supplies to Russia, or both.
At the same time, Iran has been seeking to replenish other parts of its arsenal following recent conflicts, including the 12-day war with Israel that reportedly strained Iranian stockpiles. There have been reports that Tehran is also pursuing new air defense systems from China, another key partner, while continuing to rely on Chinese-supplied materials for its missile programs.
The reported arrival of Mi-28s comes against a backdrop of renewed tension between Iran and the United States. On the same day the helicopter footage drew attention online, U.S. officials announced that an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter operating from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea had shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively approached” the ship.
U.S. authorities also accused the IRGC of harassing a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy supplies. These incidents follow weeks of heightened U.S. military activity in the region, including the deployment of additional naval and air assets.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly been considering new military strikes on Iran, at least in part in response to Tehran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests last month. At the same time, Trump has signaled an interest in pursuing some form of negotiated arrangement with Iran, with reports suggesting that American and Iranian officials could meet as early as Friday in Turkey.
Whether the Mi-28NE Havocs seen in recent imagery represent a small test batch or the beginning of a larger acquisition remains unclear. Iran has not officially acknowledged receiving the helicopters, and Russia has remained silent on the matter.
Still, even the possibility that Tehran is fielding one of Russia’s most capable attack helicopters underscores the shifting military dynamics of the Middle East. As Iran seeks to modernize its forces and deepen ties with non-Western partners, the appearance of Mi-28s over Tehran—real or perceived—sends a message about intent, capability, and alignment at a moment of heightened regional uncertainty.
