Afghan Air Force to get 58 Black Hawk helicopters from U.S.

Afghanistan's Air Force is expected to receive 58 armed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the United States.

This would be a part of the USD 1 billion deal to provide 159 helicopters to the Afghan forces until 2024.

The new choppers are being upgraded to a UH-60A+ variant with more powerful engines, the Khaama Press quoted an American military newspaper as saying.

58 of the aircraft will be fitted with additional rocket pods and machine guns like the Mi-17s, it added.

According to the report, Army Maj. Alexmi Lugo, a program manager with NATO's Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air unit, has said that the pilots of the Afghan Air Force are being trained for the new helicopters.

Meanwhile, the U.S. administration is reportedly allowing the American troops in Afghanistan to participate in joint operations with Afghan forces and to call in air strikes when needed.