Polish troops blow up their helicopter in Iraq

The Polish regiment decided that it would be too expensive to transport the equipment back to Poland and they wanted to avoid the helicopter getting into the hands of militants, therefore decided to destroy it.

Mi-24D is a Soviet-era helicopter, now manufactured in Russia, one of 35 of such helicopters still among equipment of the Polish army. The helicopter launches missiles, which are capable of destroying tanks. This particular helicopter was operated by the 49th Combat Helicopter Regiment from Pruszcz Gdański and was one of six present in Iraqi Delta base in Al-Kut region.

It is a common practice to destroy military machinery that no longer can be used or its transportation would be too costly. The remaining helicopters will be either transported to Poland by sea or transferred to service in Afghanistan.

Source: TVN24