ZIMBABWE, which is under United States sanctions, has received 18 helicopters from a sanctioned Russian state entity, Rostec, for air medical services, law enforcement, as well as search-and-rescue operations, but aviation experts immediately raised concern whether the country will be able to get service kits given that the hardware is powered by an engine made by one of America’s biggest defence companies.
Rostec is also sanctioned by Canada, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa received the Kazan Ansat helicopters — the first of a fleet of 32 — at Robert Mugabe International Airport on Wednesday.
The helicopters are powered by engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada, an entity which is part of Raytheon, one of the biggest US defence companies. It is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units.
The company has 16 000 customers on its books and its engines are operating in more than 200 countries and territories.
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (Ofac) on 28 June 2022 designated 70 entities, many of which are critical to the Russian Federation’s defence industrial base, including Rostec, considered the cornerstone of Russia’s defence, industrial, technology and manufacturing sectors.
Ofac introduced the measures in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in on 24 February 2022.
“We once again reaffirm our commitment to working alongside our partners and allies to impose additional severe sanctions in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine,” said secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen as she announced the sanctions.
“Broad multilateral commitments and actions by G7 members this week further cut off the Russian Federation’s access to technology that is critical to their military. Targeting Russia’s defense industry will degrade Putin’s capabilities and further impede his war against Ukraine, which has already been plagued by poor morale, broken supply chains, and logistical failures.”
The measures were taken in tandem with the US Department of State, which imposed sanctions on an additional 45 entities and 29 individuals. Rostec is a massive state-owned enterprise formed to consolidate Russia’s technological, aerospace, and military-industrial expertise. It is a holding company whose subsidiaries are engaged in a wide range of industries, including automotive, defence, aviation, and metals.
In addition to leading Russia’s domestic defence production, Rostec also facilitates foreign trade in defense and related materiel as well as civilian and dual-purpose products. Rostec’s management umbrella includes more than 800 entities across a wide range of sectors.
Source: Bulawayo24
In other news-Paradzai Mesi buys MH water for his band
Mudiwa Hood recently launched the MH water which costs US$1 per bottle. Paradzai Messi took it upon himself to return the favor by supporting Mudiwa’s business. He bought water bottles for his band members.
Taking to social media Paradzai shared a post and wrote:
Nezuro manager Andy Jusa vakashanyira mkoma Mudiwa Hood kushop vachidawo kutenda panezvese zvavakatiitira saka vakangoti aiwa mkoma andina hangu zvihombe asi ndoda kutenga mvura inonwiwa neband kushow aita chakanaka unomutendawo nechakanaka tichaita izvi every show. Learn more
