Russia has offered a range of military equipment and training to the Palestinian Authority.

Russian officials said President Vladimir Putin has proposed to donate Russian military helicopters, armored personnel carriers and instruction to Palestinian security forces. They said deliveries could begin by 2006 but might require Israeli approval.

“We will give the Palestinian leadership technical help and deliveries of [military] equipment and training,” Putin said after meeting PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on April 29 in Ramallah.

Putin said Moscow would first supply two Mi-8 utility helicopters to the PA. In a later stage, Russia would transfer 50 BRDM-2 infantry fighting vehicles, also deemed an amphibious scout car.

“Today’s Palestinian leadership should have the necessary resources,” Putin said. “If we expect Chairman Abbas to fight terrorism effectively, he can’t do it with slingshots and stones. We must understand this.”

Putin said Russia would also offer a range of additional equipment as well as training to the PA. He cited the proposed transfer of communications equipment to bolster the capabilities of PA security units.

“We will render assistance to the Palestinian leadership in hardware supplies and personnel training,” Putin said. “At the first stage, we will deliver rotary-wing aircraft and telecommunications, and provide Moscow-based training of security and police officers.”

In the 1990s, the PA received 45 BRDM-2s from Russia. The PA also received two Mi-8s from former East Bloc countries.

All of the equipment was destroyed in 2002 during the war with Israel. Israel, which controls the borders with the PA areas, has objected to the latest Russian military offer to the Palestinians.

“We want this cooperation to be transparent, and not to alarm Israel,” Putin said.

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