“Belspetsvneshtechnika” Seeks Contract to Modernize Mi-17 Helicopters in Côte d’Ivoire
Reform.news Editorial Team · 24 September 2026, 12:16
https://reform.news/en/belspetsvneshtechnika-seeks-contract-to-modernize-mi-17-helicopters-in-cote-d-ivoire/The Belarusian state-owned company “Belspetsvneshtechnika” (BSVT) may take part in the repair and modernization of Mi-17 military transport helicopters operated by Côte d’Ivoire. The Africa Intelligence publication reports this.
According to the publication, in July a BSVT delegation spent about a week in Côte d’Ivoire. Belarusian specialists inspected two Mi-17 helicopters and submitted a proposal to representatives of the country’s security forces for their overhaul. The project includes, among other things, replacing the engines.
Côte d’Ivoire’s General Staff, headed by General Lassina Doumbia, is currently assessing options for repairing and modernizing its existing aircraft. The authorities are also awaiting the adoption of a military planning law that is expected to enable the armed forces to purchase new equipment.
As Africa Intelligence previously reported, Côte d’Ivoire received two Mi-17 helicopters in early 2025. They are intended to strengthen the country’s transport aviation fleet, which the publication describes as relatively small.
“Belspetsvneshtechnika” is headed by Ihar Veliantsei. The state-owned company develops, manufactures, modernizes and exports military products and services. Its activities include aviation and ground equipment, air defense systems and small arms.
BSVT is under sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union. The U.S. restrictions on the company were introduced over the Belarusian authorities’ support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
According to Africa Intelligence, the visit by BSVT representatives took place in parallel with talks on economic cooperation between Belarus and Côte d’Ivoire held in Abidjan in mid-July.
Belarusian investors working in the agricultural sector met with representatives of the Ivorian investment promotion agency CEPICI and the National Agronomic Research Center (CNRA). This was followed by a meeting with Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Agriculture Bruno Nabagné Koné.
The organization of the talks was facilitated by Aruna Konaté, president of the Ivorian agricultural cooperative CA VICA. Initial contacts were established at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, held in early June.
Africa Intelligence also notes that Belarusian authorities use the connections of businessman Aliaksandr Zingman to promote their interests in Africa.
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Belarus and Côte d’Ivoire have a long history of military-technical cooperation. As Reform.news previously reported, in August 2018, Ivorian military personnel displayed eight Belarusian-made Kaiman armored vehicles at a parade. The country became the first known foreign customer for the model. In February 2020, 12 Belarusian instructors also arrived in Abidjan to train gendarmes from a unit operating wheeled armored vehicles.
Earlier episodes of cooperation were accompanied by scandals. Belarusian citizens were linked to an airstrike on a French military contingent in 2004, while in 2011 Minsk was accused of supplying three combat helicopters to the forces of Laurent Gbagbo in violation of the embargo. Belarusian authorities denied involvement on both occasions.