Israeli-upgraded Mi-17
Posted on 10/03/2014 9:04:22 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
WASHINGTON, October 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Mi-17 helicopter has been a "game changer" in the movement of Afghan forces and supplies in the fight against Taliban insurgents, the United States Army general in charge of American operations and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said.
"I think they (Mi-17) have been a force multiplier for the special operating forces and for the conventional forces, the army and the police, they have been mostly moving forces and providing resupply," US Army Gen. John F. Campbell told a gathering of reporters inside the Pentagon briefing room Thursday.
"I think that capability continues to build confidence in the Afghan security forces and Afghan people. I have been really, really impressed," Campbell noted.
General went on to say Mi-17's capabilities were allowing Afghan soldiers to be resupplied under difficult terrain and weather circumstances. Campbell called the Mi-17 capabilities "pretty incredible."
There are currently 84 Mi-17 helicopters being used by Afghan forces and an additional three more are expected, Campbell said.
The use of the Mi-17 has not been without controversy among those in Congress. In August, the US Representative for Connecticut's 3rd congressional district, member of the Democratic Party, Rosa DeLauro told CBS news the US government should not be supporting contract with the Russian government or contractor Rosoboronexport because it would be supporting the "the coffers of Russian arms dealers."
US military officials, including Campbell, have disagreed with any restrictions on the Mi-17 use in Afghanistan by coalition members.
Israeli-upgraded Mi-17
That is one Fugly helo.
Looks like it rolled out of a welding shop somewhere south of I-10 in Louisiana.
“The use of the Mi-17 has not been without controversy among those in Congress. In August, the US Representative for Connecticut’s 3rd congressional district, member of the Democratic Party, Rosa DeLauro told CBS news the US government should not be supporting contract with the Russian government or contractor Rosoboronexport because it would be supporting the “the coffers of Russian arms dealers.”
Gee - now where is that Sikorsky plant again??
MI-8 HIP with extra stuff.
Can we drop a million Rosa DeLauro masks on Afghanistan and call it a day? The fear and havoc they would cause would paralyze everyone.
I always found the Hind to be awesome in the a 10 warthog sense
aaaah...
RIA Novosti reporting and we are in aaaawe
copter can fly up and down, mazing!
These things are heavy lifters. Unfortunately, extensive use of them indicates unsafe convoy routes. I.e., they do not have control of the land.
And six months after the western support leaves how many do you think will still be flying?
Pylon struts look like they'd be at home on a WWI Fokker.
Or came from my used pipe pile.
I love them.
I want one.
me too that movie was awesome loved William Smith when he let the kids go and he had had enough of war powerful scene
So we're buying Russian helicopters and giving them to the Afghans? WTF?
1. They are cheaper than US systems. 2. The Afghans (original air force and later warring factions) are familiar with it, so you can avoid costs and security issues with having training and maintenance folks on the ground.
Lol. This is a fake Hind... A French Puma made to look like it for the movie.
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