Pentagon Stops Russian Mi-17 helicopters Purchase for Afghan army

The United States Department of Defence has quit its plans to get 15 Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters for the Afghan army in 2014, Senator John Kornin said on Wednesday.The United States Congress repeatedly spoke against buying Mi-17 helicopters from Russia's arms trader Rosoboronexport for the reason that of considerations of promoting interests of domestic manufacturers of rotorcraft. The US State Department of Defence repeatedly categorically opposed the Congress on that matter, saying its decision was both in the national interests and in the interests of the Afghan army and security forces.