Firm may protest deal to supply Afghan Mi-8/17s via Rosoboronexport

A small Alabama-based firm, Defense Technology Inc (DTI) is planning to protest the Army's plan to hand a contract to supply Afghanistan with Mi-8/17 helicopters to Rosoboroexport without a competitive tender process, saying it can do the job quicker and cheaper if it is allowed to compete.

Afghan Air Force C-27 fleet continues growth with ninth aircraft

The Afghan Air Force received a boost to its strength with the arrival of the ninth C-27A Spartan transport aircraft. The nascent air force's ultimate goal is 20 Spartans is expected to receive its tenth C-27A Spartan in early February.

Afghan Air Force begins first local overhaul of Mi-17 helicopters

The Afghan Air Force has begun it’s first local maintenance overhaul with the transport of one of its Mi-17s to Kabul Airport. Previous overhauls of its mi-17 fleet was carried out overseas, in countries such as Ukraine.

Afghan Mi-17 Pilot Rocket Training Begins

The Afghan Air Force's Kandahar Air Wing has begun rocket training for the first Afghan Mi-17 aircraft commander. The program has roughly six events before an aircraft commander is certified to shoot without an instructor and is patterned after the Mi-35 training developed by the USAF's 438th Air Expeditionary Advisor Group.

Afghan Air Force retires An-26

After more than 30 years of operations, the Afghan Air Force will retire the last of its venerable Soviet-era Antonov An-26 transport aircraft. The role will be taken over by the Alenia C-27 now entering service,

The New Afghanistan Air Force

Air and Space magazine has spent some time embedded with the Mi-17 Hips of the new Afghan Air Force and has done a feature on the men and mentors of the nascent force.

Afghan Air Force Helicopter Fleet Grows

In early October, the Afghan Air Force received delivery of four new Mi-17 V5 helicopters, bringing the current fleet to 31. The Mi-17 is the AAF’s mainstay for airfield mobility, and will be distributed to air units throughout Afghanistan.

Alenia to modify two more G222s for Afghanistan

Afghanistan is to receive a further two refurbished G222 (C-27J Spartan) light transports. The move will increase to 20 the number of ex-Italian air force aircraft to be prepared for its growing air force by the end of next year.

Russian approves export of Mi-17s intended for Afghan AF

Defense Technology International has announced that preliminary export approval for 21 Mi-17 Hip helicopters in civilian configuration has been given by the Russian government. DTI will supply the helicopters to the US Navy who will then be delivered to the Afghan Air Force.

Afghan Air Force assists in Pakistan flood relief

The Afghan Air Force's fleet of Mi-17 helicopters is participating in the relief operations in the wake of the devastating floods in Pakistan. More importantly, the nascent air force is doing it with little or no input from American military trainers and advisers.

Afghan C-27 surpass 1,000 flight hours

The Afghan Air Force recently marked the fleet's 1,000th flight hour and its first fully functional flight crew for its C-27 Spartan transport aircraft.