Russia studies the possibility of supplying helicopters to Afghanistan, said the Russian ambassador to NATO, Dmitri Rogozin speaking about the outcome of the Russia-NATO Council meeting at the level of ambassadors on Tuesday. According to the Russian ambassador, a decision on the possible supply of helicopters by Russia should be taken in response to a request by NAYO on the basis of “flexible, diversified financial schemes”.  

“Discussion on promoting the helicopter potential has been going on for ten years and entered to its acute phase at least three years ago,” Rogozin said. The Russian diplomat noted that the NATO Secretary General had called on the Russian leaders to supply helicopters to Afghanistan, train pilots, supply fuel and set up helicopter servicing centres during his three-day visit to Moscow that started on the 15th of December 2009.

According to Dmitri Rogozin, NATO shortly will receive a reply in principle from Russia. “However, the supply of sophisticated military hardware such as helicopters is carried out on the basis of flexible and diversified financial schemes,” the diplomat said.

Earlier, NATO officials have called on Moscow more than once to expand cooperation in Afghanistan. One of the key achievements made by Russia and NATO in 2009 was the signing of an agreement on transit of cargo needed for the alliance in Afghanistan through the territory of the RF.