Afghan Air Force Received Two New Mi-17 Helicopters

Afghan Air Force received two new Mi-17 helicopters on July 8, 2010. These two aircraft are part of a purchase of ten new helicopters to be fulfilled by November 2010.The contract to purchase these ten aircraft is worth $155 million. The current AAF fleet includes 25 Mi-17 helicopters. This is the continuation of a buildup of the fleet to 56 helicopters by 2012. The Mi-17 fleet provides the AAF with a wide variety of mission capabilities to include Presidential/distinguished visitor transportation, medical and casualty evacuation (MEDEVAC/CASEVAC), battlefield mobility, basic cargo airlift, reconnaissance, rotary-wing training, and close air support (CAS). Most recently, after completing critical training for its aircrew, the Afghans have added an air assault and sling load capability.

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Posted in: Afghanistan,Fighting Al Qaeda and Taliban,Helicopter