“We write to oppose any continuation of the Department of Defense’s … business relationship with Rosoboronexport, … an enabler of the ongoing mass atrocities in Syria,” Rep.

At top - an Afghan Mi-35 gunship on May 11, 2010. officials settled on the MD-530Fs over larger, more heavily armed helicopters.Ībove-Afghanistan’s new MD-530F gunship. Army aviator familiar with the program told War Is Boring on the condition of anonymity.

“American policy is to push American goods,” a U.S. The United States is putting up the money for the dozen choppers, spare parts and training for Afghan air crews. In 2014, the Pentagon decided to send a total of 12 armed MD-530Fs, and added guns and armor to five helicopters already in Kabul’s hangars. On April 9, the Afghan air force received six American-made MD-530F gunships. The helicopters are getting old and falling apart - and with Washington’s relationship with Moscow at its lowest point in decades, the Pentagon is buying tiny American choppers to replace them. The iconic, armored helicopters are better known as “flying tanks” for their ability to spew bullets and rockets - while absorbing gunfire.īut the Afghans probably won’t fly their Hinds a year from now. For several years, the Afghan air force has flown Russian Mi-35 Hind gunships.

Elite force mi-24 hind armored gunship