Afghan government to revive air force

www.chinaview.cn 2008-11-23 19:39:33

KABUL, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Around 3.5 billion U.S. dollars have been earmarked for reviving the wrecked air force in post-Taliban Afghanistan, Defense Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said Sunday.

"In line with building the capacity of national army, 3.5 billion U.S. dollars have been allocated to rebuild the air force and in this connection, 19 transport planes C-27 would soon be given to our air force," Azimi said at a news conference here.

However, he did not disclose who will provide the fund, only added that the C-27 planes are manufactured in the United States and Italy.

Azimi also emphasized that so far 200 pilots have been trained and under training.

As a lead nation in rebuilding Afghan new brand army, U.S. has contributed some 11 billion dollars to train and equip Afghanistan National Army (ANA) which boast the current strength of 80,000 while the government has been trying to boost up to 134,000 by 2011.

Afghan air force at present is limited to a Corps with over two dozens aged Russian helicopters and a few transport aircraft contributed by the United States and its allies over the past couple of years.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008- ... 400725.htm