The Czech Republic will train U.S. and Afghan pilots in flying Russian transport helicopters Mi-17, Czech Deputy Defense Minister Jiri Sedivy told Czech Television on Friday.
Under the contract worth about 260 million crowns (14.56 million U.S. dollars), the training will start at the end of March or early April, said Sedivy, Xinhua reported.
The project is to continue for two years and about 360 people would take part in, according to Sedivy.
Czech Television said the U.S. side had not confirmed the report.
The Americans showed interest in training on the Russian-made helicopters which proved themselves during allied operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Washington wants to buy 60 new Mi-17 helicopters for the Afghan military, said Czech Television. More than 200 Mi-17 helicopters have already been used by NATO air forces.