Russian Helicopters For Afghanistan

Arms exporters celebrated in the streets yesterday as Moscow agreed a deal to fund the supply of helicopters to the Afghan government with the US. The Russian daily, Kommersant, did not explain in their report why the deal is through the US rather than NATO. ¬The deal, involving 24 helicopters, has been already agreed on and could be concluded by April. Earlier Russia had been expected to sign a contract with NATO rather than directly with the US. Previous talks between Moscow and the Western alliance on delivering several dozen Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan reportedly failed to produce any results.

Now the fleet of Russian-made helicopters bound for Afghanistan could be expanded from 70 to around 100, a source familiar with the deal told Kommersant. Moscow is ready to throw in three more choppers free of charge. Russia will also be delivering components for the choppers in the future. Plenty of profits for everybody then.
Last year, NATO members agreed to set up a special trust fund to finance the establishment of a helicopter repair base and a training center for Afghan pilots. It will be also responsible for deliveries of fuel, spare parts and weapons.
Earlier this week, Anatoly Isaikin, head of Russia’s arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, confirmed that Moscow was negotiating the supply of choppers to Afghanistan and Iraq with the US Department of Defense.
According to the official, the terms of the contracts still have to be agreed on. But the desire to buy helicopters from Russia is there. The choppers are intended for the Afghan army so perhaps there is slightly less chance of their being used to massacre children collecting firewood or members of President Karzai’s family.
Arms exporters celebrated in the streets yesterday as Moscow agreed a deal to fund the supply of helicopters to the Afghan government with the US. The Russian daily, Kommersant, did not explain in their report why the deal is through the US rather than NATO. ¬The deal, involving 24 helicopters, has been already agreed on and could be concluded by April. Earlier Russia had been expected to sign a contract with NATO rather than directly with the US. Previous talks between Moscow and the Western alliance on delivering several dozen Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan reportedly failed to produce any results.

Now the fleet of Russian-made helicopters bound for Afghanistan could be expanded from 70 to around 100, a source familiar with the deal told Kommersant. Moscow is ready to throw in three more choppers free of charge. Russia will also be delivering components for the choppers in the future. Plenty of profits for everybody then.
Last year, NATO members agreed to set up a special trust fund to finance the establishment of a helicopter repair base and a training center for Afghan pilots. It will be also responsible for deliveries of fuel, spare parts and weapons.
Earlier this week, Anatoly Isaikin, head of Russia’s arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, confirmed that Moscow was negotiating the supply of choppers to Afghanistan and Iraq with the US Department of Defense.
According to the official, the terms of the contracts still have to be agreed on. But the desire to buy helicopters from Russia is there. The choppers are intended for the Afghan army so perhaps there is slightly less chance of their being used to massacre children collecting firewood or members of President Karzai’s family.