ZHUKOVSKY (Moscow Region), August 14 (RIA Novosti) – The Pentagon is insisting on the purchase of Russian helicopters for Afghanistan regardless of US Congress protests, the delegation head of Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
“Regardless of [US] congressmen’s protests, different types of substitution, switching over to US production, the American military in the Pentagon are persistently insisting on purchasing Russian helicopters,” Igor Sevastianov said at an international arms exhibition in the Moscow Region.
Russia earlier signed three contracts with the Pentagon on the delivery of more than 70 Mi-17B5 "Hip" transport helicopters for the Afghan Army.
The international Oboronexpo 2014 military technology exhibition is taking place in Zhukovsky, Moscow Region, from August 13 to 17. The event is expected to see in attendance 250 Russian firms and 11 foreign companies from Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Germany, India, China, the United States of America, France, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.
The expo provides an opportunity for discussions and cooperation among industry players. The equipment and hardware showcased at the exhibition can also be seen in action at a range located at the exhibition site.
