Argentina handed over to Ukraine two Mi-171E helicopters initially acquired from Russia.

The Financial Times reported on this.

“Milei prioritized alliances with ‘countries that defend freedom’ – the United States, Israel, which he visited in February, and Ukraine, to which he handed over two Russian-made military helicopters,” the newspaper said.

As previously reported, the possibility of transferring these helicopters to Ukraine was announced in early December.

According to the sources of the publication, the United States proposed to include the residual cost of helicopters in the recalculation of the first payments for the purchase by Buenos Aires of F-16 fighters from Denmark.

Both helicopters with H94 and H95 tail numbers have been decommissioned. They reached their limit before carrying out a planned inspection (detection of parts requiring repair).

The contract for the supply of two Russian Mi-171Е to Argentina was signed with Rosoboronexport at the end of August 2010 in Buenos Aires.

This is Argentina’s first purchase of Russian-made equipment. The value of the sale was estimated at €20 million. The contract also provided for the training of Argentine pilots and technicians.

During the purchase, an option was provided for three more helicopters, which was never implemented.

The main task of Mi-171Е helicopters was to supply supplies to Argentine stations in Antarctica, as well as to perform search and rescue missions.

For this purpose, both helicopters were painted bright orange and white. The machines are equipped with rescue hoods.

The conclusion of the contract for scheduled maintenance was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequently due to sanctions against Russia.