Non-Subscriber Extract
Canada looks to Mi-8 helicopters while waiting for Chinooks
By Sharon Hobson
08 August 2008
Canada intends to lease six to eight Russian-built Mil Mi-8 large transport helicopters for operations in Afghanistan while waiting for delivery of Boeing CH-47 Chinooks from the US.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced the decision but did not provide any details as to the country or company that is supplying the aircraft, nor the cost. The Department of National Defence also refused to provide any other information such as when the helicopters will start operations and who will be crewing them.
However, Colonel (retired) Alain Pellerin, executive director of the lobby group Conference of Defence Associations, said the helicopters will be provided by a private company and operated by civilian crews. He said the helicopters "are not certified to handle troops unless it's an emergency ... so it's purely for transport of materiel".