Afghan Air Force receives five new combat helicopters from US

Five more combat helicopters were delivered by the United States to the Afghan Air Force in a bid to improve the capabilities of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF).

The helicopters are capable of firing rockets or .50-caliber machine guns.

"Five new MD-530 Cayuse Warrior helicopters arrived at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, July 16, 2016, via a C-17 Globemaster III from McChord Air Force Base, Wash. The MD-530s were delivered to the Afghan air force increasing their fleet from 18 to 23," Khaama Press quoted the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing as saying.

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) had earlier in July received five new combat helicopters from Washington.

Priced at about $ 5 million each, the MD-530 provides both an economical and critical air-to-ground capability, enabling Afghan pilots to engage the enemy.

The MD-530s were purchased using the Afghan Security Forces Fund.