US to give Pakistan Army two transport choppers

The US said today it will provide two transport helicopters to assist the Pakistan military in its counter-insurgency operations.

The US said on Friday it will provide two transport helicopters to assist the Pakistan military in its counter-insurgency operations.

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A US embassy spokesman said the two enhanced-performance Bell 412 EP utility transport helicopters, valued at $24 million, will support Pakistan's counter-insurgency operations.

The US will also provide $20 million in associated spare parts, special tools and other equipment to support the aircraft, Online news agency reported.

During the last three years, US civilian and security assistance to Pakistan has totaled more than $4 billion. The assistance has included support for medical aid, school refurbishment, bridge and well reconstruction, food distribution and agricultural and education projects.

The security-specific assistance includes 14 F-16 fighters, 10 Mi-17 helicopters, more than 450 vehicles for the Frontier Corps, hundreds of night vision goggles, day/night scopes, radios and thousands of protective vests and first-aid items.

The US has also trained more than 370 Pakistani military officers in a wide range of leadership and development programmes covering topics such as counter-terrorism, intelligence, logistics, medicine, flight safety and military law.