MOSCOW. Dec 6 (Interfax-AVN) - Almost all helicopters of the Combined Federal Force in the North Caucasus have been reinforced with special protection from portable air defense missile systems, Land Forces Commander-in-Chief and Deputy Defense Minister Nikolai Kormiltsev said on Friday.
"Nearly all combat helicopters in Chechnya have been fitted with special devices protecting them from portable air defense missile systems. We are about to complete installation of such systems in MI-8 Hip transport helicopters. The Rostov and Kazan helicopter plans have joined this work," Kormiltsev told Interfax- Military News Agency.
According to him, main tests of the system took place at a proving range in the North Caucasus military district.
"The system has proven its high protective efficiency. Prior to that, a protection system codenamed Lipa was being designed for many years. Comprehensive tests showed that the system was a fake," Kormiltsev said.
"There are many questions to those who initiated this development and used allocations for an obviously hopeless device," the commander stressed.
Speaking about research, development and tests in the interests of the Land Forces, Kormiltsev said that nearly 30 percent of them have been closed this year because they brought no results. "A lot of funds would be invested in these projects for many years, but there was no feedback," he stressed.
According to him, funds will be provided only for the projects "that will remain promising in 2010."
Chechen rebels have shot down at least five federal helicopters with portable air defense missile systems this year, the headquarters of the Combined Federal Force has said.