for local assembly. In 2019, China ordered 100 Mi-171 (including 18 combat-transport Mi-171Sh) and 21 Kazan Ansat helicopters. A contract with the civilian airline QINGDAO for the supply of six Mi-171 helicopters with VK-2500-03 engines was signed in December 2019. In 2019, the Philippine Air Force reportedly expressed its interest in acquiring 16 Mi-171 helicopters for its heavy-lift helicopter requirement, with a possible option to add one Mi-171 that is fitted for VVIP transport, in a deal worth P12.5 billion to be signed during the official visit to Russia by President Rodrigo Duterte. From March 3 to 7, 2020, a delegation composed of Philippine military and defense officials, and officials of the Embassy of the Philippines in Russia met with representatives from Sovtechnoexport and visited the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. Local defense blog Maxdefense Philippines reported that a Notice of Award (NOA) was issued during the third quarter of 2020, although it was unclear if it was awarded to Sovtechnoexport or Rosoboronexport. On 27 July 2022, the Philippine government canceled the deal to purchase 16 Mi-17 helicopters due to fears of possible U.S. sanctions. In 2021 Russia offered the Argentine Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopters as part of a bigger arms deals. Russia in October 2021 delivered to Mali 2 Mi-171Sh and 2 Mi-17V-5 helicopters in the framework of a contract signed in December 2020. Bangladesh and Peru each ordered 2 Mi-171A2s in 2021. On 13 April 2022, US President Joe Biden announced that the US Government would supply 11 Mi-17 helicopters to the Ukrainian government to aid in its defense during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. supplied 16 Mi-17s including five that were undergoing maintenance in Ukraine when Russia invaded. These helicopters belonged to the former Afghan government, but were paid for by the US under the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund. Therefore the Pentagon treated these aircraft as its property after that government fell in September 2021. Variants Soviet/Russian variants Mi-8MT Basic updated version of the Mi-8T, powered by two 1,397 kW (1,874 hp) Klimov TV3-117MT turboshaft engines. Provision for twin or triple external stores racks. The export version is known as Mi-17. Mi-8MTV Hot and High version, powered by two Klimov TV3-117VM high-altitude turboshaft engines. This type has a maximum ceiling of 6,000 m. Mi-8MTV-1 Radar-equipped civil version of the Mi-8MTV. Russian designation of the Mi-17-1V. Mi-8MTV-2 Improved version of the Mi-8MTV-1 with enhanced armour, updated systems,