Accra, May 16, GNA - Russia is to establish a West African sub-regional aviation training and helicopter servicing centre in Ghana. To this end, a six-man delegation from Rosoboronexport, the Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise is in the country to discuss modalities for the establishment of the centre in collaboration with Ghana's Defence Ministry.

The centre, a joint Ghana-Russia venture, is part of four of such centres to be set up in Africa, to localise the servicing of Russian helicopters.

Maj. Gen. Anatoly Isaikin, Deputy Chief Director of the Rosoboronexport and Special Advisor of the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, who is at the head of the delegation, announced this during a call on Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor at Burma Camp in Accra.

He said the delegation would discuss specific issues relating to the development of the Centre in Ghana, adding that experts from Russia's Airforce Department would hold discussions with Ghana on the maintenance of the recently acquired Mi 17 Russian helicopters for the Ghana Airforce.

Dr Addo-Kufuor said he was impressed with the high professional standards of Russian pilots exhibited at last year's Moscow Airshow and called on Russia to establish special links with Ghana Air Force to enhance their expertise.

The Minister asked the delegation to consider seriously the training of Ghanaian pilots and Airforce technicians. He expressed the hope that the establishment of the centre would deepen relations between Russia and Ghana. The delegation will pay a day's visit to facilities at the Takoradi Air Force Station as part of the feasibility studies of the project.

The delegation would also hold discussions with their Ghanaian counterparts on the supply of hardware to the Ghana Armed Forces. 16 May 06