KHANKALA. March 7 (Interfax-AVN) - Additional equipment needed for protection from portable SAM systems has been mounted on all army aviation helicopters of the unified federal troops group in the North Caucasus, a high-ranking official with the group headquarters told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday.
"Special devices recently mounted on the helicopters prevent surface-to-air missiles from exploding, which helps protect helicopters from guerilla attacks on the Chechen territory," the official said.
He stressed that additional security measures are taken during the take-off and landing of helicopters.
At the same time, "the absence of so-called security zones at the Khankala airfield and other helicopter pads in the republic remains a serious problem."
"This enables rebels to approach the pads at a distance allowing them to fire at the helicopters from portable SAM systems and small-arms," the official noted.
According to him, helicopter crews have recently been replaced and helicopterists from the Far East are now accomplishing combat missions in Chechnya. "They underwent training in mountainous areas at a North Caucasian regions. All crews have needed skills to fly sorties day and night," the official said.
"The situation is the most adverse for helicopter operations in the Vedeno and Nozhai-Yurt districts," the official added.