Pak to purchase 10 Bell 412 helicopters from US

Karachi, May 25(ANI): The Pakistan Government has formally written to the United States for purchasing 10 Bell 412 helicopters at a cost of 60 million dollars.

According to reports, the Foreign Military Financing will fund the deal, and the first consignment of the choppers will be delivered in two to three months.

Pakistan is believed to have indicated in the letter that the helicopters could be used effectively in on-going war on terror and would be helpful in controlling the menace of terrorism, The News reports.

Earlier, last week, the US had delivered two Bell 412 EP helicopters, which Pakistan plans to use in its counterinsurgency operations.

The choppers were handed over by the US Army Brigadier General Michael Nagata to 101 Army Aviation Commanders Brigadier General Tipu Karim at the Qasim Army Air Base near Rawalpindi.

Along with the choppers, which cost about 24 million dollars, the US was also providing an additional 20 million dollars to buy spare parts, and other equipments to enhance the performance of the helicopters. (ANI)