The US Navy says it has delivered four new Mil Mi-17 helicopters to the Afghan National Army Air Corps in Kabul, representing the “first new helicopters Afghanistan has ever received”.
To be used for combat airlift, logistical and medical evacuation support to Afghan forces and government officials, the Mi-17s were purchased in Russia by Defense Technology Inc, a Huntsville, Alabama-based defence contractor, under a contrat from the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
NAVAIR says the entire process, from order to delivery, took 65 days to complete.
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©Staff Sgt. Tom Dow, USAF
One of Four Mil Mi-17s delivered to Afghan forces in September |
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© Staff Sgt. Tom Dow
All four aircraft on the ramp in Kabul before painting
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©Staff Sgt. Tom Dow
Mi-17 after receiving camouflage paint |