Russia has deployed four helicopters (two military transport helicopters MI-8 and two attack helicopters MI-24) to Tajikistan for participation in trilateral military exercise that is being conducted at the Harbmaidon training ground in Khatlon province from August 1 to August 10, according to the press center of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
A large, strategic airlift, four-engine aircraft Antonov An-124 Ruslan reportedly transported the helicopters from Novosibirsk oblast to Hisor airfield in Tajikistan. The helicopters were partially disassembled before transportation, and upon arrival at the destination airfield, engineering staff assembled them and pilots operated test flights, the Russian Defense Ministry press center says.
Recall, the exercise that is being conducted in southern Tajikistan near the Tajik-Afghan border involves more than 2,500 military personnel, including 1,800 servicemen, and about 500 military and special equipment.
Tajikistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan are holding joint military maneuvers at the Harbmaidon training ground in Tajikistan amid increasing security concerns in Central Asian nations over Taliban offensives against government troops in northern Afghanistan.
The commander of Russia's Central Military District, Alexander Lapin, told reporters on July 19 that during the exercise, they will polish joint military efforts against illegal armed formations that intervene into the territory of an ally country.
The Russian Defense Ministry press service said last month that personnel from Russia's military base deployed in Tajikistan, mountainous vehicular troops, tank and artillery units, as well as the CND's special units will take part in the maneuvers.
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for eight passengers. It has been operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force and its successors, along with 48 other nations. Common unofficial nicknames were "Galina" (or "Galya"), "Crocodile", due to the helicopter's camouflage scheme, and "Drinking Glass", because of the flat glass plates that surround earlier Mi-24 variants' cockpit
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and now produced by Russia. In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform. The Mi-8 is among the world's most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries.
