Recently, photos and videos have appeared on social networks confirming Iran's receipt of Russian-made Mi-28NE combat helicopters. Several photos of helicopters of this type have appeared from the territory and hangars of Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, where they are apparently being assembled after delivery from Russia. Also in early 2026, spotter videos of Mi-28NE helicopters flying over Tehran were published, apparently during flight tests. The Mi-28NE helicopters received by Iran have an original "digital" camouflage pattern.
A Russian-made Mi-28NE combat helicopter received by Iran at Mehrabad Airport (Tehran), February 2026 (c) @iranian_militarism
The contract for Iran's purchase of Mi-28NE combat helicopters has not been officially announced, and the number of helicopters purchased is unknown. However, in November 2023, Iran's Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Mahdi Farahi told the Iranian Tasnim news agency about the completion of negotiations on Iran's acquisition of Su-35 fighter jets, Yak-130 combat training aircraft and Mi-28 helicopters from Russia. In early January 2026, Tasnim correspondent Mohammad Taheri disseminated unofficial information about the arrival of the first Mi-28 helicopters ordered from Russia to Iran. It is believed that by now Iran has received up to six Mi-28NE helicopters.
The Mi-28N helicopters are manufactured by Rostvertol JSC (part of Russian Helicopters JSC) in Rostov-on-Don. Iran thus became the fourth known foreign recipient of Mi-28NE helicopters, after Iraq ( received 15 helicopters in 2014-2015 - 11 in the original version of "product 2941" and four in the version of "product 298"; according to a number of sources, subsequently received two more helicopters), Algeria ( received 42 helicopters in the version of "product 298" in 2016-2019) and Uganda ( received three helicopters in 2022).
Russian-made Mi-28NE combat helicopters received by Iran for assembly in a hangar at Mehrabad Airport (Tehran), January 2026 (c) @iranian_militarism
One of the Russian Mi-28NE combat helicopters received by Iran in flight over Tehran, February 2026 (c) social media
Video of Mi-28NE helicopter flights over Tehran, February 2026 (c) social media :
