| Four Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopters after maintenance overhauls, funded by the US, were returned to the army on Wednesday at the Chaklala Air Base. The overhaul programme provides critical support to the Pakistan Army by expediting maintenance and returning urgently-needed aircraft for flight operations. The US has funded maintenance overhauls for 24 Pakistan Army Mi-17s, twelve of which were completed and returned last year. The remaining eight helicopters are scheduled for delivery later this year. The US is also coordinating to fund overhauls for another 10 Mi-17s, and has recently delivered two Bell 412 helicopters to the Pakistan Army. Another 13 AH-1F Cobras have been procured for use as spare parts to further enhance operations of the Pakistan Army Aviation. Since 2001, the US has provided more than $12 billion to Pakistan in security assistance, training and equipment, which also includes $8.1 billion in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) reimbursements. |