Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that the country’s Armed Forces lost the ability to conduct large-scale operations after the suspension of Russian Mi-17 helicopters, by order of the United States.
According to Petro, the decision to keep the aircraft grounded, due to the impossibility of maintenance by Russian companies, significantly weakened the Colombian Army’s mobilization capacity.
Petro criticized the Black Hawk helicopters provided by the U.S. as replacements, saying they are unsuitable for mass troop transport. He explained that in operations in mountainous regions, Black Hawks allow only air combat, not terrain occupation, compromising mission effectiveness. The president also commented on the suspension of part of U.S. military and financial aid, noting that much of these funds do not reach the national budget but go to NGOs managed by USAID.
Although he downplayed the economic effects of the measure, Petro warned that a possible withdrawal of the Black Hawks would pose a challenge to the country’s defense. The Colombian government is thus seeking to reduce external dependence in the military sector.
Currently, Colombia has 19 Mi-17 helicopters but faces difficulties keeping them operational due to sanctions imposed on Russia.
Source: Sputnik | Photo: X @NoticiasCaracol | This content was created with AI assistance and reviewed by the editorial team
