A US senator says the Defence Department is cancelling plans to buy additional cargo helicopters from the Russian arms export agency that is a top supplier of weapons to Syria's military forces.
The additional 15 Mi-17s were to be purchased next year for USD 345 million and then delivered to Afghanistan's national security forces.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn says in a statement today that he applauds the Defence Department's decision to stop doing business with Rosoboronexport.
Bipartisan opposition to the purchase of the Mi-17 helicopters has been building. Members of both political parties objected to acquiring military gear from the same Russian agency that is providing Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime with arms and ammunition.
The Defence Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
