Colombia has begun the process of gradually restoring and returning to service its fleet of russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, three of which are due to return to service already in June 2025, and the next three in December, according to Zona Militar.
However, Defense Express notes that this process is unlikely to happen without the participation of russian contractors (even if in a hidden form), leading to a paradoxical situation where the same country is simultaneously preparing to purchase JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, which runs on the U.S.-made engines, while France offers Colombians its Rafale.
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Normally, cooperation with the russians should be out of question if one seeks to purchase modern Western combat aircraft but the proper reaction from Paris and Washington is nowhere to be seen.
Authors of the Zona Militar share similar thoughts, noting that "this news implies that the war in Ukraine is not a reason to leave this equipment without maintenance since they could initiate the maintenance as the conflict continues."
Apparently, they suggest that the Colombian military has found a way to establish cooperation with russian contractors which circumvents Western sanctions against the russian military-industrial complex. We also agree that Colombia as a country without its own helicopter manufacturing facilities would not be able to repair Mi-17s on its own.
Also, the Colombian military leadership was allegedly able to use warranty policies for the contract, valued at 152 billion pesos ($35 million), to begin repairing the fleet of Mi-17s.
Latest data indicates the Colombian Armed Forces have five serviceable and 15 grounded Mi-17 helicopters; though it remains speculative whether all 15 can still be repaired because of how long they remained in a deteriorated state.
Adding to the context is russia's announcement of plans to open a regional repair and service hub for helicopters in Peru — a slap in the face of U.S. efforts to secure Peruvian Mi-17 helicopters for Ukraine.
If the russian military-industrial complex manages to establish a foothold in the Latin American market, this may inject significant resources into russian defense industry, suffering from alienation in other regions, and fuel the war machine currently directed towards Ukraine. What can prevent this is only a consolidated and strong response from the Western bloc.
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