US lifts sanctions on Russian defense company to service Mi-17 helicopters in Afghanistan
On September 6th, RIA Novosti reported that the U.S. had lifted sanctions against Rosoboronexport contracts regarding the maintenance of Mi-17 helicopters in Afghanistan. Deputy Director General of Rosoboronexport Sergey Goreslavsky said in an interview with RIA Novosti that "the decision was made for two years, but if necessary, may be extended by the Americans." Those restrictions were imposed on September 2nd last year but had been partially lifted on November 25th.
The Director of Rosoboronexport said that the company has already signed a contract with the Czech company LOM Prague on the technical examination of the first four helicopters. The concern is also prepared to consider the requests of foreign customers for the supply of additional batches of Mi-17s.
Rosoboronexport is the only Russian state intermediary for the export and import of military and dual-purpose products, technologies and services. The U.S. and its allies currently use several dozen Mi-17 helicopters in Afghanistan, which are the export version of the Mi-8.