NATO plans to lease 20 helicopters Mi 17 and several heavy helicopters Mi 26 from Russia and Ukrain for transportation purposes in Afghanistan in order to reduce risk of accidental loss of its own aircrafts.
      
      The negotiations between NATO and Russian and Ukrainian air carriers are being held at the moment. The Organization is disposed to allot $100 million per year for 20 Mi 17, while the air carriers, by experts’ estimate, are expected to ask $100 thousand for a helicopter per week.
      
      37 planes and helicopters were damaged or brought down in Afghanistan in 2006. Besides, 130 times hand-held AT grenade launchers could put down aircrafts but missed.
      
      source:
      www.lenta.ru