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Pakistan buys 13 Russian choppers

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, June 7, IRNA - Pakistan has purchased 13 new MI-17 
helicopters from Russia, including 12 for the army at the cost of US 
dollar 50.7 million. 
Dawn newspaper reported in its Monday issue that the deal was made
with the Kazan Helicopter Plant through a UK-based firm and the last 
consignment of four choppers had reached Pakistan three days ago. 
Twelve helicopters had been purchased for the army and its allied 
departments and one for Punjab Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) 
Khalid Maqbool, the newspaper added. Balochistan governor Jam Mohammad
Yousaf had also requisitioned for an official chopper and a bid for it
would be held soon, the daily said. 
The UK firm won the contract in 2003 by submitting the second 
lowest bid of dollar 3.9 million for a helicopter. A local firm gave 
the lowest bid for each chopper. But it had failed to submit the 
earnest money of dollar 1 million at the time of bidding. 
Meanwhile, a military spokesman, the daily added, rejected an 
impression that the purchase was made for the tribal areas operation 
to fight Taleban and Al-Qaeda elements. 
MHA/TSH/1423