A decision will be made within two months on the possible delivery of 27 Russian Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
"We are talking about a couple of dozen helicopters with the relevant equipment. I hope that in a month or month and a half there will be more clarity on the issue," Lavrov said.
Russia has discussed the issue with NATO, he said.
"We handed our proposals about how we would carry out the initiative to Brussels a few months ago. We are now waiting for a definite answer from our partners," he said.
NATO Military Committee Chairman Giampaolo di Paola confirmed in late July that the organization was in discussion with Russia on the delivery of the helicopters.
Russia's proposal was to deliver the first three helicopters for free, he said.
Earlier in July, Russia's state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said it would compete for a U.S. tender to deliver Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan.
SOCHI, August 18 (RIA Novosti)
