Russia, U.S. to discuss Afghan helicopter deal in Washington

Mi-17

18:30 21/01/2011

© RIA Novosti. Alexey Kudenko

Talks on the delivery of Russian helicopters to Afghanistan will take place later this month in Washington, a Foreign Ministry official said on Friday.
A group of experts, including Foreign Ministry and Rosoboronexport state arms export agency representatives, will meet with U.S. officials, Zamir Kabulov of the ministry's Asia department said.
Russia has said it is ready either to supply 21 Mi-17 multipurpose helicopters under a NATO contract or to be part of a U.S.-run tender to supply helicopters to the Afghan military.
The contract is estimated at $400 million, including spare parts.
The Mi-171 is an export version of the Mi-8 Hip helicopter. Currently in production at two factories in the Russian Volga area city of Kazan and the East Siberian city of Ulan-Ude, it features more powerful turboshaft engines and can transport up to 37 passengers.
In May, the United States lifted sanctions against Rosoboronexport, blacklisting it from tendering for U.S. arms deals. The sanctions were imposed in 2006 after the U.S. government accused Rosoboronexport of violating the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
Despite the ban, dozens of Mi-17s have been bought by the United States for Afghanistan and Iraq over the past four years via intermediaries as commercial items, thus avoiding direct contacts with Rosoboronexport.
MOSCOW, January 21 (RIA Novosti)

RIA NOVOSTI