Eight extra AH-1F for Pakistan

[Munir]

WASHINGTON, September 26, 2008 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of AH-1F Cobra helicopter refurbishment as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $115 million.

The Government of Pakistan has requested a possible sale of refurbishment and maintenance of eight AH-1F Cobra Helicopters. The Government of Pakistan has also requested warranties, system integration, spare and repairs parts, including transportation for the parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $115 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for economic progress in South Asia and a partner in the Global War on Terrorism. In addition, the Cobra helicopters are a very important part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the Northwest Frontier Province. The Pakistan Army uses the Cobras to conduct and support counterinsurgency and counter terrorism operations.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be US Helicopter in Ozark, Alabama. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple U.S. Government and contractor representatives in Pakistan for approximately three weeks to ensure delivery and operability of the equipment. Also, a three person Field Office will be established for three years to provide technical assistance and contract administration for the Pakistan Army.

 

[IceCold]

Its really really hard to maintain this crap in flying status. I was actually amazed to read an article earlier posted here that one hour operation requires nine hours of service to cobras.
We should start thinking about a possible replacement and something more rugged then the cobra something that could withstand the harsh environment and extra work load because of the COIN operations going on. Cobras should be phased out.

 

[fatman17]

Its really really hard to maintain this crap in flying status. I was actually amazed to read an article earlier posted here that one hour operation requires nine hours of service to cobras.
We should start thinking about a possible replacement and something more rugged then the cobra something that could withstand the harsh environment and extra work load because of the COIN operations going on. Cobras should be phased out.

ice - under the present circumstances, this is adequate. the cobras are performing admirably in CI ops at this time. these 8 AH-1F's are to be used as attrition replacements. at least 2 have been lost (i-during CI ops and 1-during routine trg at mtn).
for the future we should seriously evaluate the chinese armed attack helicopter option, however it seems its development is slowed / delayed for unknown reasons.

 

[Munir]

IF you have decent maintanenace in the neighbourhood you can deploy high tech choppers. Without it you should restrict to basic and rugged choppers, hence Cobra...

 

[TOPGUN]

Any news on apache ?? didnt we request 6 or somthing?

 

[IceCold]

ice - under the present circumstances, this is adequate. the cobras are performing admirably in CI ops at this time. these 8 AH-1F's are to be used as attrition replacements. at least 2 have been lost (i-during CI ops and 1-during routine trg at mtn).
for the future we should seriously evaluate the chinese armed attack helicopter option, however it seems its development is slowed / delayed for unknown reasons.

Sir what if we arm our MI-17s and use it instead for coin operations? The Chinese have done it as have other countries. I mean it will cut the cost of maintaining two different platforms, at the same it could be used for both troops deployment and close air support. Troops can further be droped into the hostile territory for two reasons one once the MI_17 gets armed it will have the ability to clear the grounds first before deploying troops second it can take hits and still fly. Its not easy to bring an MI-17 down.

 

[IceCold]

Any news on apache ?? didnt we request 6 or somthing?

Apaches are not coming.Simple US wont give it to us.

 

[Blackpearl]

Pakistan getting 8 Cobra helicopters, with allied equipmentand support services at $115 Million.
This means that each helicopter cost around $14.5 Million dollar, which i think is too expensive, for an aircraft like a refurbished cobra helicopter.

These cobra aircarft were in use of US army in 80s and 90s, and they were retired from active service of US army in late 90s. Since then , they are stored in deserts, ******* and rusting. Now, USA is just giving that crap to Pakistan that too at a high price.

I remember, i had a good discussion with 23 March in some other thread a couple of months back about possible upgradation of avionics suite of existing Cobra helicopters with Pakistan. It was acclaimed, that AH-1Z avionics suite is being installed on them. Any news on that...........

Secondly, what about the possible avionoics and weapon package of these cobras. are they going to be fitted with Hellfires or not.

 

[HAIDER]

Might need to develop MI17 like this..

 

[dr.umer]

U.S. approves $1 bln in arms sales; Pakistan to get Cobra helicopters​

Updated at: 2250 PST, Saturday, September 27, 2008

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Defense Department said on Friday it approved sales of radar and aircraft upgrades, missiles and other equipment valued at $1.01 billion to four U.S. allies including Pakistan.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said these U.S. allies are: Pakistan, France, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The Pentagon said it had approved the sale of AH-1F Cobra helicopter refurbishment and associated equipment to Pakistan.

The Pentagon said the refurbishment would help Pakistan's efforts to defeat Taliban and al Qaeda fighters in its tribal areas, used as bases to launch attacks against U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and to conduct other counterterrorism missions.

The prime contractor will be US Helicopter in Ozark, Alabama.

 

[khanasifm]

"helicopter refurbishment as well as associated equipment and services"

Its not new platform but refurbish existing ones. so perhaps 8 out of the 20 delivered as is some time ago. Remember 20 were delivered for spares etc + 20 were refurbished and delivered or are being delivered(total 40 were EDA allocated.

So it looks like some are being reactivated.

Or it could be original 1980s (20 delivered and 19 currently in inventory) are being refurbished

 

[Al Shaheen]

Sir what if we arm our MI-17s and use it instead for coin operations? The Chinese have done it as have other countries. I mean it will cut the cost of maintaining two different platforms, at the same it could be used for both troops deployment and close air support. Troops can further be droped into the hostile territory for two reasons one once the MI_17 gets armed it will have the ability to clear the grounds first before deploying troops second it can take hits and still fly. Its not easy to bring an MI-17 down.

My only concerns with regards the Mi-17 Hip in the COIN role is that they make a large and tempting target, lack the manuevrability of a specialist gunship and are virtually unarmoured. I agree, they are certainly hardy machines and would require a lot less service-to-air maintenance time than most of its contemporaries. But if effective MANPADS are employed against Mi-17s, they will have serious survivability issues. 12.7mm AAA would likewise cause Hip problems.

I honestly don't believe they can substitute for a purpose-built attack helicopter like Cobra.

 

[Blackpearl]

Sir what if we arm our MI-17s and use it instead for coin operations? The Chinese have done it as have other countries. I mean it will cut the cost of maintaining two different platforms, at the same it could be used for both troops deployment and close air support. Troops can further be droped into the hostile territory for two reasons one once the MI_17 gets armed it will have the ability to clear the grounds first before deploying troops second it can take hits and still fly. Its not easy to bring an MI-17 down.

If it is for dual purpose, then go for MI-35 Hind.
it can give a good firepower, and also deliver 8 fully equipped troops on the location.

 

[batmannow]

U.S. approves $1 bln in arms sales; Pakistan to get Cobra helicopters​

Updated at: 2250 PST, Saturday, September 27, 2008

WASHINGTON: The U.S. Defense Department said on Friday it approved sales of radar and aircraft upgrades, missiles and other equipment valued at $1.01 billion to four U.S. allies including Pakistan.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said these U.S. allies are: Pakistan, France, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

The Pentagon said it had approved the sale of AH-1F Cobra helicopter refurbishment and associated equipment to Pakistan.

The Pentagon said the refurbishment would help Pakistan's efforts to defeat Taliban and al Qaeda fighters in its tribal areas, used as bases to launch attacks against U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and to conduct other counterterrorism missions.

The prime contractor will be US Helicopter in Ozark, Alabama.

getting, these old machines is not enough, any way but that is a clear sign, that US , is not serious about helping pakistan plus this shipment will make pakistani govt to shutup! on the question of militry aid against terrorist?

 

[was]

why they are giving us these old retired shìts
they are launching us a bone so we shut up when we say that they are denying us technology

AH-1F
143 production aircraft and 387 converted AH-1G Cobras. The AH-1F incorporates all Step 1 and 2 upgrades to the AH-1S as well as a return of the M147 RMS, an M143 Air Data Subsystem (ADS), a laser rangefinder and tracker, an infrared jammer mounted above the engine exhaust, and an infrared suppressing engine exhaust system. The AH-1F is also referred to as the "Modernized AH-1S", "AH-1S Modernized Cobra", or "AH-1S(MC)" prior to 1988.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobra_helicopter