Development of the Russian Mi-38 medium multipurpose helicopter began in 1981; and there was a presentation at the 1992 Moscow Aeroshow.  Prodcution of the series was facilitated by Kazan Helicopters JSC, as of the year 2000.  Initial versions of the twin-engined aircraft wielded either the BK-2500 or PW-127T/V engines.  Maximum internal and slung loads are 6000 kg and 7000 kg, repectively; passenger capacity is 32 or 16 stretchers.  The helicopter is equipped with GPS and PNKB-38 navigation systems; the main rotor may also be folded.

Data is based on the year 2017 data points of the fourth protoype and 2000 Russia's Helicopter World catalog data points of the Mi-38.