Russia has delivered the first nine multi-role Mi-17V5 helicopters to Afghanistan, Lenta.ru reports. A total of 21 helicopters should be delivered to Afghan air forces. The rest 12 helicopters will be assembled by Kazan Helicopters by the end of 2012. Besides Mi-17V5s, spare parts, ground support equipment and detachable armament will be delivered to Afghanistan along with provision of materiel support.

The contract on delivery of 21 Mi-17V5s has been signed on May 26th 2011. An agreement has been signed with US army, which is financing this purchase. The contract’s value is estimated at $375 million. According to the agency, USA is currently negotiating with Rosoboronexport on delivery of 18 more Mi-17V5s to Afghanistan. The date of new contract’s signing has not been unveiled.

It has been reported in March 2011 that Russia will deliver 24 helicopters to the Afghanistan air forces. The acquisition of 21 vehicles will be financed by USA, while three more helicopters will be delivered for free. The authorities of NATO have initially planned financing this purchase; however the alliance has failed to find available funds for it. Some NATO member-states will be financing a Trust fund, which will be responsible for maintenance of Afghan helicopters.

It has become known in June 2011 that Russia and USA will create a maintenance center for Mi multi-role helicopters in Afghanistan. According to Deputy Director of Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, “it is expensive to transport and repair the helicopters in Europe” and the creation of maintenance center will help decrease the maintenance cost.