Mikhail Mil originally approached the Soviet government with a proposal to design an all-new two-engined turbine helicopter after the success of the Mil Mi-4 and the emergence and effectiveness of turbines used in the Mil Mi-6; but the military argued against a new helicopter, as they were content with the current Mil Mi-4.
Mikhail Mil aproximouse orixinalmente ao goberno soviético coa proposta do deseño dun helicóptero bimotor de turbina totalmente novo despois do éxito do Mil Mi-4 e a aparición e eficacia das turbinas usadas no Mil Mi-6; pero os militares argumentaron en contra do novo helicóptero que estaban contento co Mil Mi-4.