A new report has identified 140 aircraft as suitable to aid struggling United Nations peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, urging India, Ukraine and NATO countries in particular to donate helicopters without delay.

The United Nations says up to 300,000 people have died in Sudan's western region of Darfur during five years of war, but not a single military transport or tactical helicopter has been deployed to patrol an area the size of France.

Only a third of the estimated 26,000 troops have deployed.

The mission says it needs 18 helicopters to protect civilians adequately.

A report compiled by Thomas Withington, a Defence Analyst who specializes in military aviation and air power issues, listed India, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Italy, Romania and Spain in order as best able to provide the aircraft.

"Between them, these six countries could provide an estimated fleet of over 70 helicopters, four times the number required by UNAMID (the African Union - United Nations mission in Darfur)," he said.