Junk choppers now fit for combat
Jan 12, 2004
The controversial MI-24 helicopter gunships which were returned to Belarus for overhaul are back in the country ready for deployment against the Kony rebels, the army has said.
By Emmy Allio
The controversial MI-24 helicopter gunships which were returned to Belarus for overhaul are back in the country ready for deployment against the Kony rebels, the army has said.
“The choppers were test-flown in Entebbe and over Nabugabo in Masaka and were proved to be fit for combat. They are to be deployed immediately to fight the Kony terrorists,†army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said yesterday.
He said the cost of the overhaul was footed by the Government and “those implicated in the earlier deal of bringing in un-overhauled choppers will face prosecution.â€
He did not disclose the cost of the overhaul.
Military sources have attributed the recent victories against the rebels to the pinpoint striking force of MI-24 helicopters which are often deployed in ‘a combined arms operations’ with the infantry and mortar units of the army.
In 1997, the Government lost over US$7m (sh13.7b) in the botched purchase of two attack helicopters to be used against rebels.
The controversial MI-24 helicopter gunships which were returned to Belarus for overhaul are back in the country ready for deployment against the Kony rebels, the army has said.
“The choppers were test-flown in Entebbe and over Nabugabo in Masaka and were proved to be fit for combat. They are to be deployed immediately to fight the Kony terrorists,†army spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said yesterday.
He said the cost of the overhaul was footed by the Government and “those implicated in the earlier deal of bringing in un-overhauled choppers will face prosecution.â€
He did not disclose the cost of the overhaul.
Military sources have attributed the recent victories against the rebels to the pinpoint striking force of MI-24 helicopters which are often deployed in ‘a combined arms operations’ with the infantry and mortar units of the army.
In 1997, the Government lost over US$7m (sh13.7b) in the botched purchase of two attack helicopters to be used against rebels.