Pentagon officials about maintaining contracts with Rosoboronexport
August 10, 2014
MOSCOW, August 9 (RIA Novosti) – Congressmen are criticizing Pentagon officials for maintaining contracts with Rosoboronexport, Russian arms exporter, that is supplying Mi-17 helicopters to the US-backed Afghanistan army.
“Particularly after Vladimir Putin’s recent behavior, we should not be filling the coffers of Russian arms dealers,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Connecticut congresswoman, cited by CBS News. In the wake of increased tensions between Russia and the US, the Pentagon should cancel its deal with Moscow, American lawmakers insist.
Pentagon argues that the cancellation of the contract would be a “catastrophic” blow to the ability of Afghan forces to carry out counterterrorist operations.