REFURBISHMENT OF BURKINA FASO'S MI-17 HELICOPTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L OUAGADOUGOU 000683 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2019 TAGS: KPKO MCAP PREL UV SUBJECT: REFURBISHMENT OF BURKINA FASO'S MI-17 HELICOPTERS REF: STATE 55654 OUAGADOUGOU 00431 OUAGADOUGOU 00631 Classified By: CDA Samuel C. Laeuchli for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Burkina Faso's two MI-17 helicopters which were sent to the Republic of Georgia the Ukraine for refurbishment in November 2008, have been returned. These helicopters will be available for future missions once they are reassembled and tested. END SUMMARY. 2.(C) The Government of Burkina Faso has two MI-17 helicopters. On 2 June 2009, Security Cooperation Program Officer (SCPO) queried Burkinabe defense officials about these assets. They responded that the helicopters were in the Republic of Georgia being refurbished and expected them to be returned by the end of June or early July. On 15 August 2009, the Special Operations Forces Liaison Element (SOFLE) observed the MI-17s being unloaded from an IL-76 Candid at the Ouagadougou military airfield. These helicopters are currently being reassembled and will be tested by HN pilots upon completion. They give the Burkinabe Air Force a significant troop transport capability as wel as logistical capability. They can also be used to patrol the borders. Although it is not being considered at this time and the distance is great, the MI-17 helicopters could possibly be used to support Peacekeeping Operations in Darfur or humanitarian aid missions within the region. Burkina Faso just recently deployed the ACOTA trained "Laafi" battalion to Darfur under the hybrid Africa Union/United Nation Mission in Darfur. 3.(C) COMMENT: The Burkinabe maintenance officer informed the SOFLE that Georgia refurbishes the airframes and avionics, and the engines and rotor blades are refurbished in the Ukraine. The helicopter frames, engines, avionics and blades were packaged separately, but arrived together on-board the same IL-76, and are currently being assembled by a mix of Ukrainian and Burkinabe technicians. 4.(U) If further information is needed, please contact SCPO LTC Bruce Patrick (patrickba@state.sgov.gov). LAEUCHLI