Ministry of Interior Helicopters Being Returned to USA

[Abbas Ali]

According to news sources, Bell UH-1 helicopters of Pakistan Ministry of Interior are being returned to USA.

The images showed helicopters loaded into Antonov An-124 Ruslan transport aircraft at Islamabad Aiport/PAF Base Nur Khan, Chaklala.







The An-124 airlifted five helicopters. Four other helicopters already have been returned to USA.

Abbas

[Abdulrafeysiddiqui]

Were they on lease or what?

[Abbas Ali]

In the past, aircraft, warships, submarine etc. were leased out to Pakistani military by USA.

Abbas

[Salman Haider]

Pakistan returns US helicopters used to monitor Pak-Afghan border
October 30, 2017

Pakistan on Monday returned the five remaining helicopters to the United States (US) which were given to the country to effectively monitor the country’s border with Afghanistan.

In 2002, the US had provided Pakistan with nine helicopters for manning the Pak-Afghan border to control militant activities. Earlier on October 15, Pakistan had returned four of these helicopters to the US.

According to reliable sources, the remaining aircraft were safely loaded on a transport aircraft in the federal capital on Monday and were expected to reach the US early on Tuesday.

It is important to mention here that these helicopters were being used by the Ministry of Interior’s air wing. The same helicopters were also commissioned during the Balochistan operation and in different anti-narcotics operations conducted in bordering areas of the country. In addition, the choppers helped the interior ministry to conduct counter-terrorism operations as well.

Moreover, sources said that Pakistan’s decision to return the helicopters would badly affect all security operations, including monitoring illegal activities on Pak-Afghan border.

Presently, the Ministry of Interior had been left with only three Cessna aircraft in its air wing, which were not as efficient as the US helicopters to conduct surveillance activities.

Source: PakistanToday

[pk363]

According to the following report US offered to nationalize these 9 machines but ministry declined and are now asking for the new ones

https://www.dawn.com/news/1367382/pakis ... e-choppers

[Abbas Ali]

These helicopters were not seen over Lahore during third T20 played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on October 29. Usually one or two Bell UH-1 helicopters of Ministry of Interior were seen in the skies during such events.

This time at least one Pakistan Army Bell 412EP was seen flying over Lahore. Pakistan Army Mi-17 and Government of Punjab Mi-171 helicopters also appeared to be part of arrangements for the match.

Abbas

[TAILWIND]

These helicopters were provided to MOI just after 9/11 primarily for anti narcotics and border security. The assistance package also included training, tech assistance, spare parts and funding for operational /administrative support. Last year, US government on expiry of initial agreement, withdrew its funding and offered GOP to takeover the ownership of helicopters. GOP due to lack of funds and age of the helicopters declined hence the these are being shipped back to US.
There is nothing sinister or 'saazish' in this whole affair, neither will it affect security of the country.

[ammad]

These helicopters were provided to MOI just after 9/11 primarily for anti narcotics and border security. The assistance package also included training, tech assistance, spare parts and funding for operational /administrative support. Last year, US government on expiry of initial agreement, withdrew its funding and offered GOP to takeover the ownership of helicopters. GOP due to lack of funds and age of the helicopters declined hence the these are being shipped back to US.
There is nothing sinister or 'saazish' in this whole affair, neither will it affect security of the country.

But current interior minister is saying that they want to procure it, but USA is not interested in extending lease of it to Pakistan. However, two years ago, it was offered to Pakistan, if they like they can buy it, but they didn't.