Cambodia is set to buy a small fleet of Chinese helicopters that will cost the country nearly $200 million, senior officials say.
The Z-9 series helicopters will be used for disaster management and “to fight terrorism,” Finance Minister Keat Chhon told reporters Tuesday. He did not say how many helicopters are planned.
The deal comes as part of 29 different agreements signed between Cambodia and China during the visit of Zhou Yongkang, a member of China’s communist standing committee.
Soeung Sam Nang, the commander of the Cambodian air force, confirmed the deal, but declined to elaborate. Cambodian pilots and crew will require training and technical assistance for the new aircraft, he said.