Army Aviation Commando to Receive 15 New Helicopters in 2006

Venezuela Headlines, According to Army General Raul Isaias Baduel, the Venezuelan Armed Forces will receive 15 new Russian helicopters in the first trimester of 2006, as part of the first stage of the Army Aviation Commando Enhancement Project, which seeks to improve Army land operations.  
 
The shipment includes MI-17 light transport helicopters, MI-26 heavy transport helicopters and MI-35 combat aircraft.  
 
Once the financial paperwork for the purchase of these helicopters is finished, the General Aviation Commando units will receive a total shipment of 33 helicopters that will progressively arrive in the country during 2006.  
 
General Baduel stated that the technical evaluation of weapons systems carried out by the Army