Russian Helicopter Package in Afghanistan: a View from Brussels

28
19-20 September, the author of these lines participated in the visit of Russian specialists on Afghanistan to NATO headquarters. During meetings with representatives of the Alliance, the question of Russian assistance to Afghanistan in the field of helicopters was repeatedly raised as one example of Russia's significant contribution to strengthening security in that country. For example, on September 19, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, NATO Deputy Secretary General, highlighted the successes of Russia’s and NATO cooperation in areas such as countering drugs, providing transit for states that are members of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and helping to strengthen the air force of this country.

Then another political officer at NATO headquarters explained in detail how Russia contributes to the repair of the helicopter fleet and the training of specialists. According to her, the idea to turn to Russia with a request for help arose from Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, during his visit to Russia in 2010. At that time, Afghanistan was acutely lacking spare parts and specialists for Mi-17 and Mi helicopters. -35.

As an illustration of the situation that developed in Afghanistan, an example was given when, after the helicopter crashed, the Afghans collected all the details that could be useful for the repair of other machines. The situation of the Afghan Air Force did not greatly save the fact that Bulgaria and the Czech Republic could supply spare parts that they produce under license. The training of technicians was also conducted, but as a NATO spokeswoman noted, “it was a very difficult process.

Russia agreed to provide the Afghan Air Force spare parts for helicopters at low prices. As mentioned, the price of the issue is several million dollars. To train Afghan repair technicians, Russia organized courses for more than three months at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant. Three groups of ten people passed through these courses (total of 30 Afghans, which is 20% of all technicians of the country's Air Force). Moreover, the first ten people knew Russian, the rest did not. Moreover, among the second and third groups were illiterate.

Particularly noted was the fact that Russia handed over to Afghanistan one ambulance helicopter based on the Mi-17 (before that, Afghanistan had no such vehicles). From myself, it should be added that since at present 90% of all military operations are conducted by the armed forces of Afghanistan, the need for ambulance helicopters clearly cannot be satisfied with one Mi-17 machine.

On the same day, a member of the Permanent Mission of Russia to NATO met with a group of Russian specialists, who said that, in his opinion, the combat power of the Afghan Air Force would be provided mainly by Mi-17, whose number in the coming years will be about 80 machines. According to him, the agreement to create a trust fund for training Afghan specialists of the first and second levels and a pool of licensed spare parts will help Russia to solve a number of problems, in particular, to gain a foothold in the military equipment market in Afghanistan.

To the above, it should be added that according to the data for April 2013, the armed forces of Afghanistan have 36 Mi-17 helicopters and eight Mi-35 helicopters. It is expected that by 2016, the Afghan security agencies will operate more than 80 Mi-17.


Mi-17 of Afghanistan in Kazan


The NATO-Russia Helicopter Maintenance Council Trust Fund was established in 2011. The Fund’s implementing organization is the NATO Support Agency (formerly the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency). The initial financial and property contributions in the amount of about $ 23 million were made by Germany, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Russia, the USA, Turkey, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.

The first and second level of training of Afghan specialists, mentioned by a Russian diplomat, are maintenance and repair equipment and specialized and intermediate maintenance equipment. If the training of specialists of the first level has already been completed, then the training of specialists of the second level, according to the data for April 2013, has not yet begun. Given the approach of the formal date for the transfer of responsibility for security in Afghanistan to the national armed forces, courses for technicians to conduct specialized and intermediate maintenance may begin shortly.
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28 comments
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  1. +18
    26 September 2013 09: 45
    Here is the "moment of truth" for helicopters - it immediately becomes clear what was created for the war, and what ...
    1. +13
      26 September 2013 10: 21
      Quote: svp67
      Here is the "moment of truth" for helicopters - it immediately becomes clear what was created for the war, and what ...

      Reluctantly, through clenched teeth, they recognized in the same - who is better!
      1. +8
        26 September 2013 10: 28
        Quote: Bulls.
        Reluctantly, through clenched teeth, they recognized in the same - who is better!

        And where will they go when they are faced with a choice - either on foot through the mountains, or buying Russian turntables ...
        1. +3
          26 September 2013 14: 18
          It would be fun if NATO adopted our MI-26 and MI-17.
        2. +1
          26 September 2013 20: 03
          Quote: svp67
          And where will they go when they are faced with a choice - either on foot through the mountains, or buying Russian turntables ...

          it’s just that for a long period of time, Afghan pilots controlled Soviet equipment. So as not to be taught, we decided to buy Mi-17 and Mi-35. As for Russian helicopters, I’ll say this. And we have various types of Russian helicopters in the army
          mi-17, mi-24sx, mi-35m, ka-32. very good equipment and easy to control. good should be said well.
      2. +5
        26 September 2013 10: 36
        A model of cooperation with NATO: they give us money, we are a high-tech product and at the same time cover the southern border.
      3. +1
        26 September 2013 13: 55
        the fight against drug trafficking? Oh well.
      4. +2
        26 September 2013 15: 24
        Quote: Bulls.
        Quote: svp67
        Here is the "moment of truth" for helicopters - it immediately becomes clear what was created for the war, and what ...

        Reluctantly, through clenched teeth, they recognized in the same - who is better!


        Recognized a long time ago, even when the decision of Congress was to ban the Pentagon from buying helicopters from us.
    2. +10
      26 September 2013 11: 27
      Here is the "moment of truth" for helicopters - it immediately becomes clear what was created for the war, and what ...

      That you just noticed!
  2. +3
    26 September 2013 10: 26
    At the expense of those illiterate future aviation specialists. Have they, at least, been taught to read-write-count before this? laughing wassat
    1. +2
      26 September 2013 21: 58
      Quote: Chever
      At the expense of those illiterate future aviation specialists. Have they, at least, been taught to read-write-count before this?
      - what for?
      On kicks, with the help of a mat, cuffs and eloquent gestures. In the army, barely descended from the mountains and immediately caught by military registration and enlistment offices, who do not speak Russian at all and just as illiterate hot Caucasian or Tajik guys, in just six months were trained to work with the S-200 air defense system, so much so that in Sary-Shagan they shot back at "Excellent" , moreover, with the most difficult introductions, to own a machine gun, pull up more than 12 times, throw a grenade, overcome an obstacle course in excess of the standard time, scrub the floors to shine, wash urinals with a toothbrush to shine, and taught a lot more. What's so hard about that? I am not an officer, but let me remember a little my youth, or rather the "grandfather" period of my life and complete power over these Afghans - I will teach something tricky in six months. If I could control helicopters, I would teach them, well, not in six months - in a year. There is a secret effective technique, only I know laughing
  3. Gur
    +1
    26 September 2013 11: 17
    If only it wouldn’t work out, as always, thanks for the gifts so that the money in the morning
  4. +2
    26 September 2013 11: 22
    Mi-8 is a workhorse, not for nothing the most massive helicopter. Canadians from Kyrgyzstan even rented 3 pieces to supply their troops.
  5. de bouillon
    +7
    26 September 2013 11: 49
    By the way, for 20 years, Russian helicopters have been in service with the US Air Force Special Operations Forces

    only one 6th Special Operations Squadron unit from 1st Special Operations Wing.

    they were the first to operate in Afghanistan in 2001 in the interests of the SAD "Tsrushniki" (analogous to the SOG of the times of Vietnam). Based in Uzbekistan in two weeks after 11/09
    1. +4
      26 September 2013 14: 25
      It's bad that only one plus can be put for such a photo. An-26 in service with the U.S. Army! In life, I would not take a word.
  6. de bouillon
    +3
    26 September 2013 11: 58
    there is also the CIA

    I will continue
  7. de bouillon
    +3
    26 September 2013 11: 59
    in special forces he clearly fell in love
    1. 0
      27 September 2013 02: 14
      Thanks for the photo, very delivered! laughing
      Just do not understand the AK character in the center ... Is this the American army? laughing
  8. de bouillon
    +4
    26 September 2013 12: 00
    equipment inside
  9. de bouillon
    +3
    26 September 2013 12: 13
    training of the Afghan crews Mi-24x

    fly beautifully
  10. +1
    26 September 2013 12: 14
    NOT GOOD TO OURS THERE IS GIVING KNOWLEDGE!
    oh teach on your neck
  11. +1
    26 September 2013 12: 38
    And how much dirt was heard from this contract from the Americans ... Remember? It’s just as hard and hard to break into other markets. For each market sector, for each segment they are ready to cut their throats. Because these things help put pressure on other countries!
  12. poccinin
    +3
    26 September 2013 13: 12
    RUSSIAN EQUIPMENT is simple and reliable.
  13. The comment was deleted.
  14. de bouillon
    0
    26 September 2013 13: 57
    Quote: mirag2
    And how much dirt was heard from this contract from the Americans ... Remember? It’s just as hard and hard to break into other markets. For each market sector, for each segment they are ready to cut their throats. Because these things help put pressure on other countries!


    it's just that some congressmen decided to earn points for themselves
  15. +3
    26 September 2013 13: 58
    Even after the disaster, the engines were running pack the fuel did not end
    PS The crew is alive

  16. smiths xnumx
    +3
    26 September 2013 13: 59
    The same Poles fly in Afghanistan on the Mi-17 and Mi-24:
    The Polish Independent Air Assault Group (IAAG), located at the forefront of the Afghan Ghazni airfield, serves about 300 people with combat experience. The group flies on 11 Mi-24 and Mi-17 helicopters, which provide the Polish Task Force White Eagle with the necessary mobility and safety during its operations in Afghanistan.
    http://ursa-tm.ru/forum/index.php?/topic/50140-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%88%D0

    %B0-%C2%AB%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8B%D0%B5-%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BB%D1%8B%C2%BB-%D0%B2-%

    D0%B0%D1%84%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5/


    Polish Mi-24V helicopters in the sky of Afghanistan, 09.04.2012/XNUMX/XNUMX (c) Bartosz Bera, airliners.net
  17. Semeon
    0
    26 September 2013 15: 37
    Whatever you say, you don’t let new people into your ....
    1. smiths xnumx
      +2
      26 September 2013 16: 12
      Well, what do you want "The crocodile is not caught, the coconut does not grow ..."
      From the story of an American soldier in Afghanistan from Twitter
      “We flew on missions on Ospreys for several months, they were constantly leaking hydraulics, so we got used to it. This time the crew commander also said OK and we flew. The flight ended somewhere in the middle of the planned 45 minutes - there was a strong pop , then the propellers got up, the flight was at night, it was not visible from the outside from what height we were falling. We landed on a ledge, the whole body howled from the impact. The rear ramp was blocked, we had to get out through the gunner's right hatch.
      They took up defensive positions, and the shelling began 10 minutes later. The Osprey crew almost immediately took another helicopter - and we thought that "the captain is the last to leave his ship." We were ordered to guard the apparatus.
      In about a week, he was dismantled and taken away. It's good that we were supported by tankers and infantrymen. "

      http://nosikot.livejournal.com/?skip=40

  18. +2
    26 September 2013 18: 18
    The main thing is that the sale would be for money, and not for a loan, which we will then be forced to forgive. And osprey is a good thing. Yes, there are problems. But they are working on these problems.
  19. +1
    26 September 2013 21: 11
    US helicopters are bought only for the Afghan army. The reason is simple. Afghans have known this technique for a long time. It will be cheaper to buy MI for them than to buy American or European helicopters and then transform pilots and technicians. Here they look at whether it is better or worse, but how much it will cost. Canadians rented helicopters with crews - again saving money. Russian helicopters in Afghanistan are used by those NATO countries that have had these helicopters since the past. Some new NATO countries received new MI helicopters as part of the repayment of part of the Russian (USSR) debt. (Do not believe? But it is so). In operations, NATO soldiers fly only in NATO helicopters, and there are MIs (Poland and the Czech Republic), Chinook, and Black Hawk. They fly, just on what command will give for this operation. It happens that with an Afghan helicopter and as part of a group of Afghan soldiers, 1-2 NATO specialists fly, sort of like instructors. Well, the fact that NATO uses Russian weapons, equipment and equipment as part of special operations is, I hope, a fool.
  20. +1
    26 September 2013 21: 32
    Quote: Chever
    Have they, at least, been taught to read-write-count before this? laughing wassat

    Clearly written, there were completely illiterate. Yes, just now you are beginning to comprehend how much the Soviet government has done for the people, a country of complete secondary education. For example, in Italy, according to eyewitnesses, the children of the owner of a small bakery have only primary education, their dad the baker believes that baking bread and lyre can be done with primary education, so you should not spend extra money on studies, education is paid there.
    1. +1
      26 September 2013 23: 23
      This usually happens. I mean Europe. For all, primary education. Then, if you have children with many children and not really with the money, you will save up for a good education at the university for one of the children, and the rest in, like former Soviet, vocational schools. They teach excellently, but there are enough fools everywhere. If you don’t want to study, they won’t bother with you. You will become either a seasonal laborer or unemployed on the street. Hope for the state, but don’t be bad. But, of course, there are dads like you described. And they are everywhere in the world. Or are there no such people in Ukraine?
  21. 0
    27 September 2013 01: 15
    The news is certainly good under the condition, if they pay and not in debt, and if this money goes to create a new one and does not settle on funds. A good car but it’s painfully old. Babayam can and will go for the transport of raw.

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