 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Canada acquires US, Russian helicopters for Afghan war
Ottawa (AFP) Aug 7, 2008 Canada announced Thursday the acquisition of a dozen helicopters and drones for use by its troops in Afghanistan, who until now have had to use dangerous roads to get around, increasing casualties. "For years, our Canadian forces have been in the unfortunate position of not having an option other than hitching rides with allies in order to move personnel in countries like Afghanistan. Those days are over," said Defense Minister Peter MacKay. The military purchased six used Chinook D model helicopters from the US government for 292 million dollars and leased six Russian-built MI-8 helicopters at a cost of 36 million dollars annually -- its predecessor was operated extensively during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, mainly for bombing Mujahideen fighters. The Canadian military also bought several small Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for use over the next nine months, and leased a Heron UAV tactical system for use thereafter -- at a total cost of 109 million dollars. "The addition of these resources will provide greater safety and security to our troops in Afghanistan, with UAVs acting as the eyes in the skies for commanders," said General Walt Natynczyk, chief of the defence staff. "The helicopters will allow commanders the flexibility to reduce ground-based re-supply convoys and more easily reach remote locations in challenging environments where they could be at risk of ambushes, land mines and improvised explosive devices," he said. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links News From Across The Stans
Pakistani intelligence complicit in Afghan violence: US general
Washington (AFP) Aug 7, 2008The top US commander in Afghanistan Thursday publicly accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate of "some complicity" over time with militant groups fomenting violence in Afghanistan. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
YahooMyWeb
Google
Facebook