March 2008
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NATO is planning to upgrade Mi-17 transport helicopters for fulfilling the need of properly equipped commercial transport helicopters in Afghanistan. NATO has agreed to grant commercial helicopters on a common funding program held at the end of year 2007. The working plan of NATO will be to use common funding or a separate fund provided by non-helicopter operators such as Iceland and Luxembourg to upgrade Mi-17 deployment and operations in Afghanistan. Some of the Mi-17s of the Afghanistan is expected to be provided for the functions including, escort role, with rocket pods and door guns etc. NATO is planning to make the Mi-17 an improved version having upgraded engines so that it would be able to become the strength of the Afghan Air Corps in future.