By Giselle Alzate | 2024-06-10

BOGOTA -- The Colombian government is negotiating with companies in the United States and Mexico to repair and maintain 11 Russian Mi-17 helicopters. These helicopters are grounded for lack of spare parts and maintenance.

The maintenance and repair issues stem from international sanctions imposed on the Russian firm contracted for these services, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Colombian Minister of Defense Iván Velásquez confirmed.

"We are actively seeking a solution. While we have the resources to pay the Russians, transferring [funds to Russia] is impossible" because of sanctions, stated the official during a debate in the House of Representatives May 28.

Velásquez was summoned by the House's second committee, which oversees foreign affairs, to address the issue of grounded Russian helicopters.

The Colombian army has idled the helicopters for several weeks.

The topic resurfaced after an April 29 crash killed nine soldiers aboard an Mi-17.

He is in discussions with companies in the United States and Mexico that can service the aircraft, Velásquez stated.

"We've made significant headway in our discussions with other companies. Colombia isn't alone in facing these challenges. We've engaged with firms operating out of the United States or Mexico, specializing in Mi-17 helicopter maintenance," he said.

A suspended contract; Russian ploy rejected

In both 2021 and 2022, Colombian officials signed two contracts with the Russian firm National Aviation Services Co. SA (NASC) for Mi-17 maintenance, he said.

NASC fulfilled the first contract, which ended last September. However, both sides agreed to suspend the second contract in light of circumstances.

"The inability to proceed with execution stems from a well-known and straightforward cause: the sanctions levied on Russia by the United States Treasury Department, compounded by similar measures enacted by several European nations," Velásquez elaborated.

NASC suggested altering the names of involved entities and the contract's stated purpose to circumvent international sanctions against Russia, he confirmed.

However, the Ministry of Defense rebuffed this proposal.

"We cannot entertain requests of such a nature," Velásquez said.

Instrumental in security

Russian helicopters, before they proved to be unsafe, had been instrumental to the Colombian military's battle against guerrilla movements and drug trafficking.

In late May, guerrillas attacked the towns of Morales and Jamundí in southwestern Colombia, prompting local authorities to seek air support.

Typically, the army depended on those helicopters to help repel guerrilla offensives.

However, since the majority of those aircraft are grounded, troops based nearby had to travel overland to reinforce the towns.

Only 8 of 19 Mi-17's are in active service.

Between 1996 and 2009, Colombia procured 26 Russian aircraft.