Sunday, August 07, 2011 – According to General National Defense Ministry Spokesperson General Zahir Azimi, Afghanistan’s Air force will be fully equipped till 2016.
Gen. Azimi further added, He added that the process for expansion and equipping of the national army especially its air forces will be fully equipped till 2016 in a way that this force can achieve its activities in the domestic and external security of Afghanistan and can reliably defend the air of Afghanistan.
Gen. Azimi also pointed out regarding the purchase of a number of M-17 model V-5 helicopters that are the latest M-17 models from the Russian Federation with the cooperation of the United States.
He said, several of these helicopters have already arrived in Afghanistan and 21 more will be placed at the disposal of Afghan Air Force till the end of 2012.
While appreciating the US assistance in equipping of the Afghan Air Force and training of national army and strengthening of all spheres of national army Gen. Azizi said, we expect that more attention is directed at the formation and strengthening of the Afghan Air Forces.
Gen. Azimi said, without a reliable air force equipped with all its related sections, it is difficult to independently defend the independence, territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the country as well as the present achievements and ensure domestic security.
