UK to add 14 helicopters to fill Afghan shortage

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

REFILE-UK to add 14 helicopters to fill Afghan shortage
30 Mar 2007 12:34:20 GMT
Source: Reuters

-snip-

LONDON, March 30 (Reuters) - Britain will buy six helicopters originally
ordered by Denmark and fix eight that have been stuck on the ground
in an effort to fill a shortage in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence
said on Friday.

British forces rely heavily on helicopters, especially in Afghanistan where
they are part of a NATO mission.

The government has acknowledged that it has not been able to deploy as
many helicopters as commanders would have liked, but also blames other
NATO allies for failing to contribute all that the alliance requested.

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The AgustaWestland helicopters, which will cost 175 million pounds ($343.8
million), had been ordered by Denmark. But the Danes had agreed to accept a
later shipment and allow Britain to take them instead, the British statement
said.

-snip-

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