HAIDER
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dont disagree but russian 'offensive' weapons are 'off-limits' for the near and medium term.
the other option is the chinese wz-10 but this type continues to be 'dogged' with power-plant problems and faces massive delays.
the turkish attack helo is under 'testing and evaluation' and will not be available until 2015-2018.
.........so the only 'option' left is upgraded cobras and by 2014, the super cobra.
Need is urgent, even US military/NATO is short of helicopter. In Afghanistan they using leased transport helo from European leasing company, i think based in Netherlands.
AIR MI-17s Afghan
Afghan Army Mi-17s
(click to view full)
An Oct 24/07 report in Canada’s Globe & Mail claims that: “NATO plans to rent helicopters to resupply front lines and remote bases in southern Afghanistan – an unprecedented move that could reduce ground casualties even as it exposes the unwillingness of major European allies to send their choppers into dangerous, Taliban-infested areas.” Which may be partly explained by US Secretary of Defense Gates’ remarks, in a recent European speech:
Rent-a-Helicopters Headed to Afghanistan
Carson helicopters, a firm that operates heavy-lift helicopters for firefighting and construction, recently signed a deal with to haul supplies for the U.S. military in Afghanistan. The Mail Tribune, a southern Oregon paper, reports that the company will provide seven Sikorsky S-61 helicopters, along with parts and maintenance, to a partner company contracted by the Pentagon. Their partner? While Carson would not say, the Mail Tribune cited court documents and Department of Defense records that show the contract is with Presidential Airways, a subsidiary of the company formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide.
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