Russia is still trying to sell Mi-17 series helicopters to Argentina’s Armed Forces

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Within the framework of the re-equipment plans for the Argentine Armed Forces (FAA), the defense industry of the Russian Federation maintains in force a series of proposals to meet the national requirements to acquire material that allows recovering and incorporating capabilities. Such is the case of the MIG-35 fighter-bomber.

The Russian offer has focused on two initiatives: the reinforcement of the fleet currently operated by the Argentine Air Force and, more ambitiously, the provision of an integrated package of helicopters in various configurations together with the facilities for their maintenance.

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In the case of the Mi-171E of the Argentine Air Force, the Russian proposal complements the units currently provided by the VII Air Brigade, increasing the fleet to 4 aircraft. For years, the FAA has been interested in reinforcing its Mi-171E fleet due to the importance they have demonstrated throughout their years in service, especially during the Antarctic summer campaigns.

Unfortunately, not only has the initiative failed to materialize to date, but the FAA has currently lost the capability offered by the Mi-171s due to the delayed ICM planned for the Russian helicopters. One of the latest developments regarding the Mi-171E was the FAA’s request to quote a unit, as reported by Zona Militar in May.

However, the Russian proposal also bets on the sale of a package integrated by up to twenty Militart Mi-171Sh helicopters, which would be added to the installation of a local maintenance center, probably imitating the solution being implemented in Peru.

This renewed offer, which is directed to the requirement of the Argentine Army, would include helicopters in transport configuration for Antarctic operations and equipped for firefighting, the latter being one of the many tasks performed by Army Aviation helicopters.

The Russian interest in Argentina (offers for fighters, helicopters, VCBR, air defense systems, among others) is part of the strategy of its defense industry conglomerate to consolidate and win new markets in Latin America, as recently stated by Alexander Mikheev, CEO of Rosoboronexport.

MIL MI-17

Mil Mi-17  is a Soviet-designed Russian military helicopter family in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. It is known as the Mi-8M series in Russian service. The helicopter is mostly used as a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter, as well as an armed gunship version.

The Mi-17 was used extensively by the Sri Lanka Air Force in Sri Lanka’s war on terrorism by the LTTE. Seven of them were lost in combat and attacks on airports.

U.S. special forces help Northern Alliance troops from a CIA-operated MI-17 at Bagram Airbase during Operation Anaconda, 2002. US Army Special Forces in Afghanistan extensively used CIA-operated Mi-17s during the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Mi-17 is used for passenger transport by Air Koryo, the national airline of North Korea. Previous flights include those between Pyongyang and Kaesong and Pyongyang and Haeju.

The Mexican Navy uses its Mi-17s for anti-narcotic operations such as locating marijuana fields and dispatching marines to eradicate the plantations.

The Slovak Air Force and Croatian Air Force operated Mi-17s in Kosovo as part of KFOR.

In 2019, China ordered 100 Mi-171 (including 18 combat-transport Mi-171Sh) and 21 Kazan Ansat helicopters.

In 2019, the Philippine Air Force reportedly expressed its interest in acquiring 16 Mi-171 helicopters for its heavy-lift helicopter requirement, with a possible option to add one Mi-171 that is fitted for VVIP transport, in a deal worth P12.5 billion to be signed during the official visit to Russia by President Rodrigo Duterte.

In 2021 Russia offered the Argentine Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopters as part of a bigger arms deal. Russia in October 2021 delivered to Mali 2 Mi-171Sh and 2 Mi-17V-5 helicopters in the framework of a contract signed in December 2020.