Uganda defense forces operating in Somalia have got a shot in the arm after defense headquarters commissioned six newly refurbished Mil 24 gunship helicopters to be used in combat role.
Uganda Defense Forces deployed Mil-24 Hind choppers in Somalia for combat roles and ground troops support.
The Mil Mi-24 (NATO reporting name: Hind) is a large, heavy helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and 8-troop capacity war craft produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force.
Uganda had acquired Mil-24 Hinds most of which were unserviceable but later contracted Russian experts to refurbish them at Soroti Flying School.
UPDF-AMISOM has been in Somalia for more than half a decade and has struggled to make headway outside the Mogadishu corridor successfully.
However, in 2012, UPDF boots in Somalia were able to dislodge the remnants of Al-Shabaab brigades operating in Mogadishu pushing them beyond Afgoye and Johwar.
This success is of strategic importance in Somalia and UPDF-AMISOM have earned respect for such efforts.
