Sheesh don’t any of these idiots know that the lifespan of Russian helicopters is measured in hundreds of flight hours not thousands
Actually Russian helicopters, particularly older designs like the MI-17, literally will fly for decades with relatively poor maintenance, which for helicopters usually is the kiss of death. One can argue about the Pentagon usurping Congress. One can argue about giving American taxpayer money to a Russian firm. However, when it comes to large helicopters that are to be used in a foreign country by users who associate the word ‘maintenance’ with the same relish they associate with ‘pork’ then it is really hard to argue against the Mi-17. From Uganda to Uzbekistan it has proven its ability to fly in the hands of poor pilots, questionable fuel and really interesting fluids, and nonexistent maintenace crews for thousands of hours.
Well they do have problems and crash but they also will fly at high altitudes and carry a large payload and they are easy to maintain and they are faster than the Chinook which is the only chopper we have that flies high with a big payload. As long as they are leaving them in Asaghanistan who gives a rats bazoo?
The only thing I’m ticked off about is that we are leaving anything there except the fleas and dancing boys.