On 21.10.2025 Ukraine announced the future replacement of helicopters Mil Mi-24 and Mi-8 with Bell AH-1Z Viper and Bell UH-1Y Venom by signing a letter of intent between the Ukrainian government and Bell Helicopter Company.

The Bell AH-1Z Viper and Bell UH-1Y Venom helicopters are modernized Bell AH-1 Cobra and Bell UH-1 Iroquois which correspond to the interoperability function of the Mil Mi-24 and Mil Mi-8 helicopters and are built with 85% common parts which greatly simplifies maintenance.

The cost of the helicopter Bell AH-1Z Viper as new is around 40 mln USD and helicopter Bell UH-1Y Venom is around 30 mln USD. The price of the helicopters could be higher depending on additional equipment and the maintenance service cost included.

Bell AH-1Z Viper Technical Specification Compare to Mil Mi-24

Performance
Max Speed - 370 km/h (Mil Mi-24 - 335 km/h)
Cruise Speed - 257 km/h (Mil Mi-24 - 260 km/h)
Sideward/Rearward Flight - 83 km/h (Mil Mi-24 - no data)
Max Autorotation Speed - 222 km/h (Mil Mi-24 - 130 km/h)
Combat Radius - 240 km (Mil Mi-24 - 160 km)
Maneuverability - -0.5 to +2.5 g (Mil Mi-24 - no data)

Weight and Fuel
Max Gross Weight - 8391 kg (Mil Mi-24 - 11500 kg)
Max Useful Load - 2614 kg (Mil Mi-24 - 2500 kg)
Fuel Capacity - 1561 litres (Mil Mi-24 - 1840 liters)

Engines
Model - T700-GE-401C (Mil Mi-24 - Klimov TV3-117)
Output, Uninstalled, Each Engine - 1800 shp (Mil Mi-24 - 2200 shp)

Crew
Pilots - 2 (Mil Mi-24 - 2)

Bell UH-1Y Venom Technical Specification Compare to Mil Mi-8

Performance
Max Speed - 314 km/h (Mil Mi-8 - 250 km/h)
Cruise Speed - 272 km/h (Mil Mi-8 - 225 km/h)
Sideward/Rearward Flight - 83 km/h (Mil Mi-8 - no data)
Max Autorotation Speed - 222 km/h (Mil Mi-8 - no data)
Combat Radius - 220 km (Mil Mi-8 - 420 km)
Maneuverability - -0.5 to +2.3 g (Mil Mi-8 - no data)

Weight and Fuel
Max Gross Weight - 8391 kg (Mil Mi-8 - 13000 kg)
Max Useful Load - 3021 kg (Mil Mi-8 - 4000 kg)
Fuel Capacity - 1468 litres (Mil Mi-8 - 2700 liters)

Engines
Model - T700-GE-401C (Mil Mi-8 - Klimov TV3-117)
Output, Uninstalled, Each Engine - 1800 shp (Mil Mi-8 - 2200 shp)

Crew
Pilots - 2
Crew / Passengers seats - 2/8 (Mil Mi-8 - 3/28)

Based on just specification data of helicopters Bell AH-1Z Viper vs Mil Mi-24 it is clear that Bell Helicopters created more efficient and fast attack helicopter than Mil so the replacement of Mil Mi-24 is proven. But from the other side Bell UH-1Y Venom could not reach the possibilities of Mil Mi-8 in combat range and useful load so Bell UH-1Y Venom will not replace Mil Mi-8 but will add one more combat transport helicopter to Ukrainian Air Force fleet for other missions.

Now this announcement gives understanding why the Bell Helicopter Company plans to open a Representative Office in Ukraine in the Lviv region.

Ukrainian helicopter pilots and flight enthusiasts welcome Bell helicopters in Ukraine!

Organizers

Ukrainian Government, Bell Helicopter, Textron Inc.
Ukraine Bell Helicopter
Lviv, Ukraine

Pavel Korsun
Tour Guide
Ukraine tours and Kiev tours

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