Russia urgently reclaims previously sold helicopter engines from customers.

As part of its war in Ukraine, Russia has taken steps to buy back military equipment that it had sold to countries including Egypt, Belarus, Brazil, and Pakistan. These efforts, revealed by the Wall Street Journal, include negotiations for the return of helicopter engines, notably the Mi-8 and Mi-17 models.

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 Russia has taken steps to buy back military equipment that it had sold to countries including Egypt, Belarus, Brazil, and Pakistan. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

A Russian delegation visited Cairo in April to discuss the return of around 150 helicopter engines, mainly Mi-8 and Mi-17 models. Egypt, a major Russian arms customer before the war in Ukraine, reportedly agreed to the request. In return, Russia would have offered to cancel part of Egypt's debts and maintain deliveries of wheat, an essential resource for Egypt.

Russia also requested Pakistan to hand over four Mi-35M helicopter engines, but this request appears to have been refused. Brazil also rejected a proposal to buy 12 Mi-35M helicopter engines. However, Belarus, a staunch ally of Russia, has reportedly agreed to sell six Mi-26 helicopter engines.

These attempts to recover military equipment follow as the Russian army faces significant losses of helicopters since the start of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. According to Ukrainian sources, the Russian army has lost nearly 30 % of its helicopter workforce. According to the Oryx website, the Russian army lost 132 helicopters, 102 damaged, and 28 captured. In addition to the destruction, wear and tear of parts, and sanctions due to international sanctions and increasing isolation on the world stage.