Leidos carries on support for ex-Afghan aircraft
Mi-17 helicopter in Afghan Air Force livery. (Photo: USAF/Staff Sgt Todd Pouliot)
Over-the-horizon maintenance continues for helicopters and turboprop aircraft formerly operated by the Afghan Air Force.
Leidos has received a $20.95 million, one-year contract modification from US Army Contracting Command to continue providing over-the-horizon contractor logistics support from the UAE for Mi-17 helicopters and Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircraft formerly operated by the Special Mission Wing of the Afghan Air Force (AAF).
FY2021 Afghanistan Security Forces Funds worth $20.95 million were obligated at the time of the award, the DoD announced on 31 August.
Several Mi-17s and PC-12s were flown to Uzbekistan after the Afghan government collapsed in mid-August 2021.
The most recent data from Shephard Defence Insight, collected before the Taliban victory in Afghanistan, showed that about 40 Mi-17s remain in service in Afghanistan out of a total of 301 delivered.
A total of 18 PC-12s were in service with the AAF, having been provided in 2015 for the Special Mission Wing via an FMS deal.
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK company demonstrates crewed-uncrewed teaming]()
UK company demonstrates crewed-uncrewed teaming
QinetiQ's aerial target drone, the Banshee, was modified to be controlled by a piloted aircraft.
-
![Poland and Netherlands approved for hundreds of air-to-ground missiles]()
Poland and Netherlands approved for hundreds of air-to-ground missiles
The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) is a supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile compatible with US and allied strike aircraft.
-
![Anduril and GA-ASI propel forward in US Air Force CCA programme’s next phase]()
Anduril and GA-ASI propel forward in US Air Force CCA programme’s next phase
Anduril and GA-ASI have raced ahead in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative, securing contracts with the US Air Force to build production representative flight test platforms.
-
![Another Saab GlobalEye lands in the UAE]()
Another Saab GlobalEye lands in the UAE
The arrival of the latest GlobalEye marked the fourth AEW&C aircraft delivery to the UAE in just four years.
-
![Greece and Israel cosy up over Rafael’s Spyder air defence system]()
Greece and Israel cosy up over Rafael’s Spyder air defence system
Ongoing discussions between Greece and Israeli arms manufacturer Rafael to acquire Spyder air defence systems underscored the resilience of international business ties despite geopolitical tensions.
