India delivers first Mi-24 helicopters to Afghanistan.

India delivered the first two of Mi-24 attack helicopters as replacement to the Afghan Air Force to help against insurgency and fight terrorism.

Polish Mi-24 (Picture source: Cezary Piwowarski)

Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar handed over the helicopters to Acting Defence Minister Asadullah Khalid at the Kabul Air Force base, TOLO News reported, citing a statement by the Indian embassy in Kabul.

"These are replacement for the four attack helicopters previously gifted by India to Afghanistan in 2015," the statement said.

"The Mi-24 helicopters shall boost the capability of the Afghan Air Force and enhance the effectiveness of the Afghan National Defence and Security Force in combating the scourge of terrorism," it said.  "The Mi-24 helicopters shall boost the capability of the Afghan Air Force and enhance the effectiveness of the Afghan National Defence and Security Force in combating the scourge of terrorism".

Two more of the same type will be purchased and supplied to the Afghan Air Force in order to make the aerial operations more effective. India had first presented Mi-24 helicopters to Afghanistan in December 2015.