The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has ordered the repair of Mi-17 helicopters at the Konotop Aviacon State Repair Plant in the interests of the Afghan Army.

The company is already completing the repair of Mi-17V-5 under this contract, which was concluded with the participation of the State Company for Export and Import of Military and Special Purpose Products and Services “Ukrspetsexport”.

Technical acceptance and presentation of the helicopter to the National Air Corps of Afghanistan is scheduled for the second decade of July.

“Currently, after assembling and testing the systems, the stage of preparation of the helicopter for ground and flight tests is coming to an end. The works are being carried out in compliance with the repair schedule under the supervision of NSPA representatives, “the press service said.

In 2011, the United States ordered 63 Mi-17V-5 multi-role helicopters from Russia for the needs of the National Air Corps of Afghanistan for a total of $ 1.3 billion.

As of 2014, Russia has fulfilled its obligations under the contract.

After the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2014, the United States refused to further purchase Russian aircraft.

Similarly, through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), maintenance of helicopters purchased in Russia for the benefit of Allies has been suspended.

Last year, the Russian company Helicopters of Russia accused Ukraine of “illegal repair” of Afghan Mi-17V-5 helicopters.

According to them, two Afghan helicopters were delivered to Ukraine for repairs at aircraft factories in Konotop (Aviacon) and Zaporizhia (Motor Sich).

The Russians said that Ukrainian companies could not carry out repairs without the involvement of representatives of the developer – “NCV Mil and Kamov”, with the same argument, they recently suspended the signing of an agreement between Peru and Ukraine for the repair of Mi-25 attack helicopters .

(C)INDUSTRIAL PORTAL UKRAINE 2021