How many soldiers does the Mi-24 "Hind D" carry?

Short answer

Eight: the Mi-24 is a large gunship helicopter that also works as a low-capacity transport, with room for eight passengers. Its internal load is rated at eight combat troops or four stretchers, and instead of troops it could carry extra ammunition in the cargo bay.

Published: November 4, 2026 · Updated: November 4, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many soldiers does the Mi-24 "Hind D" carry?

Mil Mi-24 Hind HelicopterEric Friedebach (CC BY), vía commons

A gunship with a troop compartment

The Mi-24 is described as a large gunship and attack helicopter that is at the same time a low-capacity troop transport, with room for eight passengers. It is a close counterpart to the American AH-64 Apache, but unlike that aircraft and other Western assault helicopters, it can also carry up to eight soldiers. Its internal load is rated at eight combat troops or four stretchers. The troops carried on board can fire their personal weapons through the cabin windows. Instead of carrying troops, the aircraft can store an extra supply of ammunition in the cargo bay.

From the V-24 to combat experience

The V-24 had a central infantry compartment able to hold eight soldiers seated back-to-back. Combat experience soon showed the drawbacks of having a Mi-24 carry troops. The soldiers were transported in Mi-8 helicopters while the Mi-24s provided fire support.

A later design with fewer seats

In 1972, after the Mi-24 was completed, development began on a distinctive attack helicopter with transport capacity, whose design reduced that capacity to three soldiers instead of eight.