India on Thursday handed over two Mi-24 attack helicopters to Afghanistan.
“These helicopters are a replacement for the four attack helicopters gifted by India to Afghanistan in 2015. The Mi-24 helicopters shall boost the capability of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) and enhance the effectiveness of the Afghan National Defence and Security Force in combating the scourge of terrorism,” the Indian Embassy in Kabul said in a statement.
The helicopters were formally handed over by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar to the Minister of National Defence of Afghanistan, Asadullah Khalid, at the Kabul Air Force base. The helicopters were purchased from Belarus, Mr. Khalid said in a tweet. “Two more will be supplied to the AAF,” he said.
Under a tripartite agreement, India has agreed to purchase the attack helicopters from Belarus and supply them to Afghanistan. Earlier, India had gifted four Mi-24 attack helicopters drawn from the inventory of the Indian Air Force and three Cheetal utility helicopters manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
