Mi-24

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The Mil Mi-24 (NATO reporting name 'Hind') is a large helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated from 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. Soviet pilots called the aircraft летающий танк (letayushchiy tank, “flying tank”). More common unofficial nicknames were Крокодил (Krokodil, “Crocodile”), due to the helicopter's new camouflage scheme and Стакан (Stakan, “Glass”), because of the flat glass plates which surrounded the three place cockpit of the Mi-24A.

The Mi-24 is frequently used in Eastern Union mobile infantry and combined-arms operations for its capacity as both a troop transport and attack helicopter, unique in that it can perform both roles at the same time. The Mi-24 provides infantry quick insertion and extraction and can accompany squadrons as fire support. Although capable as a stand-alone tank hunter, it is more frequently relegated to infantry support roles in favour of the more manoeuvrable Mi-28 and Ka-50.

The Mi-24 has become a core component of Eastern Union special forces field operations, acting as a shuttle for fireteams and providing makeshift headquarters in remote deployments. Memorably, Mi-24s ferried Captain Krieger into combat, once during the Battle of Parliament Hill, and again during the Battle for Germany.