Chestnut
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Calling it right now guys, either the additional Apache order would include more airframes than the speculated 8 (looking at 16) or they would include more weapon fit outs for the ones that are already in operation.
And before someone tells me we can't afford it. Any additional Apache order would not cost $1.68B. The majority of that money in the original contract went to support and infrastructure. Any follow on order does not have to include that since they would just use the infrastructure that's already been built. Freeing up money for either additional airframes or weapons packages.
Example:
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/united-arab-emirates-ch-47f-chinook-helicopters
This is the original UAE Chinook deal for 16 CH-47F's valued at $2B. This includes Life Sustainment and Support along with all other associated support costs.
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/united-arab-emirates-uae-ch-47f-chinook-cargo-helicopters
This was last year's follow on order for 10 additional CH-47F's valued at $803M. Notice the wide discrepancy between 16 Chinooks and 10 Chinooks. That discrepancy is where all the support costs was supposed to go had they needed to buy another Life Sustainment Package.
And before someone tells me we can't afford it. Any additional Apache order would not cost $1.68B. The majority of that money in the original contract went to support and infrastructure. Any follow on order does not have to include that since they would just use the infrastructure that's already been built. Freeing up money for either additional airframes or weapons packages.
Example:
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/united-arab-emirates-ch-47f-chinook-helicopters
This is the original UAE Chinook deal for 16 CH-47F's valued at $2B. This includes Life Sustainment and Support along with all other associated support costs.
https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/united-arab-emirates-uae-ch-47f-chinook-cargo-helicopters
This was last year's follow on order for 10 additional CH-47F's valued at $803M. Notice the wide discrepancy between 16 Chinooks and 10 Chinooks. That discrepancy is where all the support costs was supposed to go had they needed to buy another Life Sustainment Package.