The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has deployed its first helicopter unit as part of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission, sending two Mi-171 multi-role helicopters and 12 accompanying personnel to Khartoum to join the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). A further two Mi-171s and the unit’s remaining 128 personnel will deploy shortly. Over the past few years China has significantly expanded its contribution to UN peacekeeping missions. [source]
