US cancels purchase of Russian helicopters for Afghanistan
The US Department of Defense has notified the Congress that it intends to stop the purchase of Russian MI-17 helicopters for its mission in Afghanistan, stating that it plans to purchase helicopters manufactured in the US.
The decision was made public by Senator Chris Murphy.
“I will never understand why the US government sends over the money of the American taxpayers to Russia paying for the purchase of the helicopters for Afghanistan while Russia supports Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and continues with its aggression in Ukraine. If the Pentagon buys helicopters they should be made in the USA,” Murphy stated.
The Pentagon said that they will buy helicopters manufactured by Sikorsky Black Hawk in Connecticut.
“In the midst of Russia’s attempts to undermine our policies in the Middle East and its long lasting aggression against Ukraine, it is time for the US to stop its reliance on Russian made helicopters for Afghanistan,” said a member of the House of Representatives, Rosa DeLauro, adding that the local manufactures and workers should be given a higher priority.
Western sanctions imposed on Russia because of its aggression in Ukraine didn’t apply to the deal sighed with Russia over the delivery of Russian helicopters and parts to the American mission in Afghanistan for two years.