Police need extra Tk 50cr to run 2 Russian choppers

The Public Security Division under the ministry of home affairs has sought additional Tk 50 crore from the finance ministry to buy Ground Supporting Equipment (GSE) for operating two Russian helicopters.

The proposal of the Bangladesh police under the public security division was placed on Thursday at a virtual revised budget meeting with the finance division of the finance ministry.

As a result, the purchase of two Russian choppers will cost the government a total of Tk 478.12 crore.

According to the proposal, three military forces---except the police force---have the technical knowledge on how to run these aircraft.

The Russian Mi-171A2 model helicopters are little different from the conventional choppers.

Bangladesh Police’s primary proposal did not include any clause over ‘Ground Support Equipment.’ But without that equipment the duo cannot be operated, reads the proposal.

The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase in last October gave its consent for procuring the two Mi-171A2 model helicopters from Russia with a cost of Tk 428.12 crore under government-to-government process.

Under the terms and conditions of the contract, the helicopters are to be delivered by the Russian Helicopters Holding Company to Bangladesh Police in 2023.

An official of the finance division said it is not possible to provide Tk 50 crore as an additional fund to buy Ground Supporting Equipment to run those Russian helicopters as the government is suffering from some fund crisis.