Pentagon wants to stop buying Russian Mi-17 helicopters
The US Department of Defense is looking to end its dependence on Russian-made helicopters.
Mi-17 helicopter made in Russia. |
On November 19, US Senator Richard Blumenthal announced that the US Department of Defense plans to stop purchasing Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters because the Afghan army needs to switch to using UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters produced by the US-based Sikorsky Corporation.
The statement said, "Following efforts by US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, the Department of Defense is seeking to end its reliance on Russian-made helicopters to support Afghan defense and security forces. The Department of Defense plans to transition to Black Hawk helicopters."
Russia has supplied 63 Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan since 2001 when Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the US Department of Defense signed a relevant contract.
According to News
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