WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is demanding answers from the Pentagon over a contract to buy helicopters for the Afghan security forces from a state-run Russian arms exporter that is a top weapons supplier to the Syrian government.
More than 80 House members signed a letter sent Thursday to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel voicing their opposition to the deal.
They say the $554 million arrangement for 30 Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters from Rosoboronexport announced last month ignores a congressional prohibition against signing contracts with the arms agency.