UK helicopter upgrade for Afghanistan
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, March 26, IRNA -- Britain’s Ministry of Defence Friday announced another helicopter upgrade to improve the air support for troops deployed in Afghanistan.
A new £42 million ($63 m) contract for Lynx Mk9A helicopters is to deliver more powerful engines, strengthened airframes, increased firepower using the heavier calibre 0.5” gun and more advanced instruments and electronics.
The aim is to improve the multi-purpose helicopters’ performance in the extreme conditions of Afghanistan with the first due to be deployed in Afghanistan in April after environmental training in similar conditions in Kenya.
“This improved version of the very successful Lynx helicopter will greatly benefit our troops in Afghanistan when it deploys there for the first time next month,” said Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies.
“The enhancements will allow it to perform in the extremes of climate and geography that characterise that theatre of operations,” Davies said.
The British government has continually faced about the lack of military helicopters in Afghanistan, including from the all-party Defence Select Committee, which warned last year the shortage was putting the lives of troops at risk and undermining operations.
The new contract increases the number of standard Lynx Mk9As being upgraded to 22 after the first tests were carried out in September 2009.
The UK has also been upgrading its existing fleet of American Chinook lift helicopters, with the first deployed in Afghanistan last November. It also ordered 22 new Chinook Mk3s.
The Ministry of Defence said that the number of UK airframes available to commanders in Afghanistan has nearly doubled in the past three years but refuses to specify the exact number because of security.
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End News / IRNA / News Code 1024849
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