India delivered the first pair of Mi-24 attack helicopters as a replacement to the Afghan Air Force. The helicopters were handed over to the Acting Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid by the Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar at the Kabul Air Force base. The helicopters were Purchased from Belarus.
Aim:
The Mi-24 helicopters shall boost the capability of the Afghan Air Force and enhance the effectivenessof the Afghan National Defence and Security Force in combating the scourge of terrorism.
India and Afghanistan in the past:
The helicopters are a replacement for the four attack helicopters previously gifted by India to Afghanistan in 2015. India has been one of the largest donors to Afghanistan and has committed $3 billion in aid since 2001.
It is also said that two more of the same type will be purchased and supplied to the Afghan Air Force in order to make the aerial operations more effective.
Mi-24:
National origin: Soviet Union/Russia
Manufacturer: Mil
First flight: 19 September 1969
Introduced in: 1972
Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter, and low-capacity troop transport that can contain eight passengers.
It has been designed to take on fortified enemy positions and locations prone.