[caption id="attachment_153679" align="alignright" width="158"] Mil Mi-171E of the Red Crescent Air Rescue in 2009.[/caption]
TEHRAN (Tasnim) Irans Red Crescent Society is in talks with some foreign companies to import 28 new helicopters for the countrys air ambulance fleet, the head of the Society announced on Sunday.
We are seeking to buy and import to the country a number of helicopters, Amir Mohsen Ziaei said on the sidelines of an international conference on the youths role in rescue and relief operations in Tehran on Sunday.
He emphasized that talks for the purchase of six choppers have started, adding that the society also aims to buy another 22 helicopters to boost its air ambulance fleet.
Earlier last month, the Iranian defense ministry delivered its first domestically-made Bell-412 chopper to the Red Crescent Society.
The chopper is made by Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (IHSRC) and complies with all international and national aviation standards.
Iran has made great achievements in aviation industry in recent years. As well as attaining self-sufficiency in the overhaul and maintenance of helicopters inside the country, Iran has been successful in manufacturing different types of choppers.