Congressman Eric Massa Calls For Halt Of U.S. Purchases Of Russian-Made Helicopters

Press Release

Citing the importance of growing the American economy, today Congressman Massa called for the halt of U.S. purchases of Russian-made aircraft used to equip foreign security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

On January 28, 2010, Rosoboronexport, Russia's state-owned arms exporter, told reporters that its 2009 sales grew by 10 percent and that officials in Iraq and Afghanistan had approached the Russian company about buying their weapons. However, the purchases would be up to the U.S.

"I'm focused on creating American jobs and improving our own economy locally, not Moscow's," stated Rep. Massa. "We should be supporting our own Aerospace industry. Purchasing foreign-made weapons just doesn't make any logistical or economic sense. It is inconceivable to me why the United States would pour so much human and tactical resources into Iraq and Afghanistan at a great economic cost to our own national budget and then turn around and pay for Russian-made weapons. I am frankly astounded by this revelation."

Rep. Massa, a 24-year Navy veteran, is a member of both the Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee.

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