Russia says ready to deliver Mi-171 helicopters to Afghanistan

(RIA Novosti)  Russia's state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport will compete in a helicopter tender for the U.S. anti-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan.
The request for proposals (RFP), issued on July 8 by the U.S. government, calls for 21 Mi-171 Hip multipurpose military transport helicopters and associated equipment.
"We are ready to offer Afghanistan a full package, from the delivery of helicopters to the construction of infrastructure and post-sales technical assistance," Deputy General Director of Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheyev said at the Airshow China 2010, which is being held on November 16-21 in Zhuhai.
In May, the United States lifted sanctions against Rosoboronexport that it had earlier blacklisted from tenders with U.S. government. The sanctions were imposed in 2006 after Washington accused Rosoboronexport of violating nuclear non-proliferation rules.
Despite the ban, dozens of Mi-171 Hip helicopters have been bought by the United States for use in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past four years via intermediaries as commercial items, thus avoiding direct contact with Rosoboronexport.
The Mi-171 is an export version of the Mi-8 Hip helicopter. Currently in production at two factories in the Russian Volga area city of Kazan and the East Siberian city of Ulan-Ude, it features more powerful turboshaft engines and can transport up to 37 passengers.
"All helicopters will enter service with the Afghani air force. The Mi-171 is ideal for the climate in this country," Mikheyev said.