On December 15, 2023, the Argentine Air Force announced its intention to donate two Mi-171E helicopters to the Ukrainian state. These helicopters, acquired in 2011, have been out of service since 2021, as the Air Force was unable to complete the major inspections necessary for their operation following economic sanctions against Russia.
The recent visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Argentina, on the occasion of the inauguration of President Javier Milei, marked a turning point in bilateral relations. During this visit, the possibility for Argentina to offset the value of the helicopters as part of the initial payment for the acquisition of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets was discussed.
The attempt to return these helicopters to active service has been frustrated in recent years. Initially scheduled to begin in 2020, the inspection tasks were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although work finally began in 2021 under the supervision of Russian technicians, the necessary support from Russia was hindered, first by logistical problems and then by sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.