Abdul Wahab Wardak, Air Chief General of Afghanistan, has told the media that America and Russia are about to sign a contract to supply Afghanistan with 21 Russian helicopters. The deal has so far been on the negotiating table for over a year.

The Mi-17 helicopters have so far been used in the mountainous regions of Pakistan and India and are an export version of the Mi-8 model. The helicopters are needed for ongoing NATO missions within the country.

While it is understood that the deal has not been officially signed, it is reported that 21 of the $17.5m helicopters should be operational in Afghanistan by the end of 2011 and Russia will assist in the training of pilots.

NATO originally tried to convince Moscow to supply the choppers at no cost as a contribution to the stability effort, but this plea was largely ignored by Russian officials. America subsequently joined in talks to finalize the deal.

Reported by Sam Doving.

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