The US has decided to buy used propeller blades from Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (MSDF) search-and-rescue aircraft for use by the Afghan Air Force (AAF).
Although the US intended to acquire the propeller blades last year, the parties are expected to sign a formal contract for the acquisition as early as this month.
The deal will reportedly cover propellers for five aircraft.
The AAF has received several C-27 Spartan transport aircraft from the US, however, there is a shortage of spares including propeller blades.
Japan has decided to sell the propellers as they have been used on civilian aircraft and therefore do not violate Japan’s anti-arms export principle that bans the export of military equipment to be used in active war zones, reports the Mainichi Daily News.
