U.S. senators urge to drop Russia helicopter deal over SyriaMarch 13, 2012 - 10:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Department of Defense should drop a $900 million contract with Russian arms sales company Rosoboronexport to supply helicopters to Afghanistan's forces, if Moscow continues to arm the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, 17 senators have said in a statement sent to Pentagon head Leon Panetta, RIA Novosti reported citing the Foreign Policy Journal. "I am concerned that the U.S. Army is listed among the clients of Rosoboronexport. The United States has many alternative places to purchase helicopters, should we be rewarding Russia for its actions on Syria by buying their Mi-17s?" Senator John Cornyn said at a hearing on Thursday. Cornyn and another senator, Dick Durbin, are the authors of the statement. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno pointed out in response, "there are no other options to meet the operational needs of the Afghan security forces. They are familiar with these helicopters and we are told that the Mi-17 is absolutely necessary to maintain the viability of the Afghan security forces." The Mi-8 and its uprated successor, the Mi-17 were used in great numbers by the Soviet Union during its war in Afghanistan, and by its client regime there. Many were left in the country after the Soviet withdrawal and used by the forces of the Mujahideen groups and the Taliban.The most widely produced helicopter in history, the Mi-8/17 has earned a reputation for reliability and strength and is popular with the forces of many third-world nations. Britain has been involved in training aircrew for the Mi-17 for the nascent Afghanistan armed forces. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |