HARARE, February 21. /TASS/. Zimbabwe's First Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has expressed gratitude to Russia for sharing its tech and expertise with the country.

Russia, he said, is a world-class player in science and technology, and Zimbabwe is reaping the benefits of cooperation with Moscow.

"I am glad for this opportunity to visit the site of Kazan Russian Helicopters on the sidelines of the inaugural International Multi-Sport Tournament," The Herald newspaper quoted Chiwenga, who is in Kazan as the guest of honor for the Future Games, as saying. "Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation enjoy cordial and excellent bilateral relations. This has translated to robust trade, investment and technical assistance in various sectors of our economy. Indeed, this visit has helped us familiarize ourselves with their [Kazan Helicopter Plant] products and get an insight into their operations. I wish to applaud you, through the Russian Federation, for the technology and skills transfer to the Government of Zimbabwe."

Chiwenga said Zimbabwe was also grateful to the Russian Federation for training helicopter pilots for the Russian-backed air ambulance service being set up. "Therefore, we shall continue to engage and collaborate with the Russians until we are fully capacitated," the Zimbabwean first vice president emphasized. He spoke warmly of the relations between the two countries, which started in the years when Russia supported the national liberation struggle of the Zimbabwean people.

In May 2023, state tech corporation Rostec handed over to Zimbabwe a batch of light multipurpose Kazan Ansats, which are to be used for medical aviation. A total of 60 Russian helicopters are planned to be delivered by 2025.

These helicopters will lay the foundation for Zimbabwe's modern medical air fleet and will help with difficult situations that sometimes arise during natural disasters in the republic, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa believes.