Russia, US to Sign New Military Cooperation Deals

Russia and the US are planning to sign new military cooperation deals in search of other mutually beneficial areas of military cooperation, Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation deputy chief Vyacheslav Dzirkaln said.

“We plan to sign more deals with the US very soon, and plan to extend [cooperation] beyond helicopter deals,” Dzirkaln added.

The countries have recently signed a contract for the purchase of 21 Mi-17V5 military transport helicopters for the Afghan army.

The first batch of aircraft under the contract is expected to be delivered to Afghanistan later this year.

The Mi-17V5 helicopter is an export version of the Mi-8 Hip helicopter featuring a loading ramp, an additional door and a new “dolphin nose”, according to RIA Novosti.