The draft directive was developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Russia-NATO Council Helicopter Maintenance Trust Fund in Afghanistan (hereinafter – the Fund) was established at the Council’s 2010 summit in Lisbon to train technicians and supply spare parts for the maintenance of Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters of the Afghan army.
The decision to launch the second phase of the project was taken at the Russia-NATO Council meeting of foreign ministers on 23 April 2013. Contributions of NATO member countries to the Fund have totalled 4 million euros and will be spent to purchase spare parts in Russia for the Afghan army’s Mi-35 helicopters. Russia’s contribution of 4.1 million dollars will go toward training 45 Afghan specialists at the training centre of the Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant.
Russia’s continued participation in the Fund will promote Russian helicopters on the Afghan market and provide an additional channel between the Russian and Afghan militaries.
