China's first helicopter team consisting of 140 peacekeepers will soon depart for Sudan's Darfur region on a United Nations peacekeeping mission.
Equipped with four multi-purposed Mi-171 helicopters, the peacekeepers will leave the country in three groups. The exact date for departure has not been announced.
The peacekeepers come primarily from an aviation brigade of the 81st army group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
The team will take on a number of tasks, including air patrols, transport of peacekeeping forces, evacuation of rescued personnel, and air supplies.