NICOSIA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus is purchasing six Airbus light attack helicopters with a view to replacing its aging Russian fleet of armament, a Defense Ministry statement said on Friday.
It said the ministry had signed a contract with the French company Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of six H145M helicopters, with an option for another six.
The Cypriot National Guard plans to replace its 11 heavier Russian Mi-35 helicopters and sell them to Serbia, which has reportedly shown an interest in purchasing these helicopters.
No purchase price was mentioned in the statement, but sources said the Airbus helicopters will cost a total of 140 million euros and will be delivered over a time frame of five years.
The sources, quoted by Cypriot media, said one of the reasons for the move to replace the Russian helicopters is their high maintenance costs, estimated at 100 million euros for the next 10 years. Servicing the aircraft has also become a problem after the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia.
The sources were further quoted as saying that the Cypriot National Guard does not need such large transport helicopters as Mi-35, but prefers lighter aircraft with stronger combat capabilities.
The H145M is designed for one pilot and one military operator, while the Mi-35 can carry up to eight soldiers.
Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides said the helicopters will upgrade the capability of the National Guard to be "a reliable deterrent and defensive force." ■