KABUL (Pajhwok): An American aerospace manufacturer has secured a pair of contracts worth $43.9 million related to support for the Afghan Air Force’s MD530F light attack helicopters.
The first contract, awarded by the US Army Contracting Command, is worth $14.5 million and is a six-month extension of MD Helicopters’ existing contract to provide programme management, contractor logistics support, materials and remote operations.
According to Flight Global News, the second contract, involving $29.4 million, modifies the company’s original support contract. It also runs for six months.
Work for both contracts will happen in Mesa, Arizona; Kabul and Al-Ain, the United Arab Emirates.
Nick Nenadovic, vice president of MD Helicopters’ aftermarket and customer support, said: “While US forces begin the drawdown process in Afghanistan, these contracts allow us to help AAF maintain stability on their own through the continued support of their aircraft.”
Nenadovic added: “This further highlights the value our government and the AAF put on the MD530F. It is with tremendous pride we can continue providing the highest level of support for both our government and allies.”
The Biden administration is in the process of withdrawing all forces from Afghanistan, where the US has been embroiled in a war since 2001.
The AAF operates 209 fixed and rotary wing platforms, including 75 MD530Fs. Other attack assets include 25 Embraer/Sierra Nevada A-29B Super Tucanos.
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