US/Rusky Afghan Ship Deal Finally Concluded
Mi17 - The helicopter of choice for the US Government abroad
Russia and the United States have agreed on the conditions of a $367-million deal for the supply of Russian helicopters to Afghanistan and will sign the document soon, the Kommersant daily reported today citing military officials.
The United States and Russia have been in talks for over a year on the deal to provide the much-needed vehicles for the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
"The Americans have informed me that the contract will be signed very soon," said General Abdul Wahab Wardak, Chief of Staff of the Air Force in Afghanistan. "We expect to receive 21 Mi-17 helicopters by the end of the year."
He said the cost of one helicopter had been agreed at $17.5 million.
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U.S., Russia reach final stages of Afghan helicopter deal - paper | World | RIA Novosti