VILNIUS, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The Lithuanian air force will upgrade its aged helicopter fleet to newer Western production as of 2022, the defense authorities announced on Monday.
According to an announcement from the country's Defense Ministry released on Monday, Lithuania's defense resource council, a top controlling body for defense purchases at the Defense Ministry, decided on Friday to approve the upgrade of the air force's helicopter fleet.
Currently, the Lithuanian air force operates three French manufactured helicopters AS365 Dauphin and six Russian production Mi-8T helicopters. The latter operated since 1992 are mostly used for rescue operations and transportation, according to the ministry.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis explains investments are needed since none of Russian manufactured helicopters owned by Lithuania would be safe to use by 2019.
"In longer term, it is optimal to think about introduction of Western and newer platform," Karoblis was quoted in the announcement from the ministry.
The ministry didn't disclose the possible options for upgrade and size of investment.
The country's air force mostly uses its helicopter fleet to conduct Lithuania's air space surveillance, rescue operations and transportation of transplants and patients.
