Press Release 20101116-05
Nov. 16, 2010

BAGHDAD – The Iraq Army Aviation Directorate accepted delivery of two new Mi-171E helicopters at its headquarters in Taji Nov. 7.

This latest delivery brings Iraq Army Aviation Directorate’s total inventory of Mi-171E helicopters to eight, and completes a $156 million foreign-military-sales purchase of the aircraft that was coordinated with assistance from the United States Forces-Iraq’s Iraq Security Assistance Mission.

These Russian-made aircraft will be used to conduct a variety of missions including counter-terrorism, airlift and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The aircraft were purchased from Russia and shipped to Sharjae, United Arab Emirates, where they were fitted with upgrades including the latest in avionics equipment and weapons control systems, before being delivered to Taji.

Iraq’s fleet of multipurpose helicopters now includes eight Mi-171Es and 16 Mi-17 helicopters.

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