PA to recieve 20 more Cobra Helicopters

[fatman17]

the original AH-1S are (will) be upgraded to AH-1F in the near term.

 

[Keysersoze]

has anyone got actual numbers of AH-1's in service?

 

[JK!]

As far as i know (with whatever i have read), we currently have AH-1S helicopters while we are recieving upgraded AH-1F variant.

There is no sign of Super Cobra, and there is no need for it. Otherwise, AH-64D would have made much more sense. The United States army is upgrading its old ones to the standard of D model, so they can keep the company stay on for a while until a next generation helicopter (Cammanche? confirm?) comes in production.

UAE also has made the order of 36 or so. Opportunity existed, but Pakistan doesn't need it... nor do i believe we have huge requirements currently.

I have read somewhere that the Israelis actually favour the less capable
AH64A variants for COIN operations as they are easier to maintain in such environments.

Are there any plans to maybe go for AH1Z?

This would be awesome to have IN PAK army and would certainly pack more punch and could be cheaper than going for AH64s or similar helicopters.

 

[fatman17]

19 - AH-1S
20 - AH - 1F
39 total

 

[EagleEyes]

19 - AH-1S
20 - AH - 1F
39 total

I don't know if the web page supports your claim, but please verify the information.

http://www.defence.pk/ah-1f_cobra.html

The web page also includes the serial numbers of some of them.

Thanks.

 

[Neo]

20 AH-1S were delivered (serial numbers 786-001 to 786-020 with Bell construction numbers 22501 to 22520, respectively) the first ten arriving in 1984. These became operational in March 1985 and the second batch of ten arrived in 1986.

I believe the third batch of 20 AH-1F was delivered to PAF in full secrecy, Keys mentioned it in some other thread aswell.

I'll see whatever info I can find to confirm.

 

[Keysersoze]

I don't know if the web page supports your claim, but please verify the information.

http://www.defence.pk/ah-1f_cobra.html

The web page also includes the serial numbers of some of them.

Thanks.

Just a quick point webby. The page mentions the RAH-66 which is now defunct...

 

[fatman17]

webby
my info is based on AFM (airforce monthly magazine). as the web page suggests 18 or 19 AH-1S are existing.
40 AH-1F were offered by USA (pls check the DSCA site). 20 upgrades and 20 spares. i will provide the serials of the choppers which have been stripped for spares by saturday evening. of the 20 upgraded AH-1Fs, 8-12 have already been delivered. balance by mid-2008.
pls check with PAA contacts (i am sure u have them) total strength is 39 or 38.

 

[fatman17]

neo - no deliveries can be made in secret. it just dosnt work this way anymore. whats so secret about the AH-1F??

 

[Keysersoze]

20 AH-1S were delivered (serial numbers 786-001 to 786-020 with Bell construction numbers 22501 to 22520, respectively) the first ten arriving in 1984. These became operational in March 1985 and the second batch of ten arrived in 1986.

I believe the third batch of 20 AH-1F was delivered to PAF in full secrecy, Keys mentioned it in some other thread aswell.

I'll see whatever info I can find to confirm.

I did? I'll be honest and say that I am pretty much confused as to the numbers I have thought it was 20 + 20 new (minus attrition) but other sources seem to think there were 20 + 20 +an additional 40 from somewhere. (The DSCA website mentions none of this)

 

[fatman17]

believe me brothers - its 20 orig + 20 upgraded + 20 stripprd for spares.

 

[Neo]

I did? I'll be honest and say that I am pretty much confused as to the numbers I have thought it was 20 + 20 new (minus attrition) but other sources seem to think there were 20 + 20 +an additional 40 from somewhere. (The DSCA website mentions none of this)

I assume it was you but I could have been mistaken, no time to go thru 2693 posts of yours...

 

[Neo]

neo - no deliveries can be made in secret. it just dosnt work this way anymore. whats so secret about the AH-1F??

Let me verify from my source and see how much is true. IIRC the follow up batch was delivered via third party as Pakistan once again was hit by US sanctions in 1992/93.

 

[bilalkk1]

its time to check cooraption in helicopter deal

 

[fatman17]

keys, Neo - this is from april-2007 issue of AFM and i quote:

Ex-US Army Cobras delivered to Pakistan Army:
A formal ceremony was held at Qasim AA Base, near Islamabad on Feb 2 to mark the handover of 8 re-furbished former US Army Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters to the Pakistan Army.
These helicopters are the 1st batch of a TOTAL of 20 refurbished AH-1Fs that are being supplied under a $50 mill FMS programme.
All previously were held in storage at Fort Drum, New York awaiting re-sale. they comprise:
79-23228,79-23239,80-23516,80-23519,80-23521,81-23526,81-22527,81-23537,82-24065,82-24066,82-24067,82-24069,82-24071,82-24072,82-24073,82-24074,83-24190,83-24196,83-24198 and 83-24199.
Apart of the same FMS contract, a further 20 AH-1Fs from Fort Drum were also acquired by Pakistan PURELY FOR SPARES USE.
During late 2004, all 20 of the helicopters that were to be made air-worthy were moved by road from Fort Drum to Jacksonville, Florida. they were then transported by ship to San Juan, Puerto Rico, before going on to the local DynCorp international facility at Aguadilla for re-furbishment.
Eight of the AH-1Fs that are to be used purely as spares ships (79-23221,79-23229,79-23231,79-232248,80-23514,81-23528,81-23530 and 83-24195) were also delivered to DynCrop in Puerto-Rico to be stripped by the company for component recovery. the remaining 12 spares donors (identities un-confirmed) are thought to have been shipped direct to Pakistan.
DynCorp is also incorporating several upgrades into the 20 helicopters that are being made air-worthy. this modernisation includes fitting C-NITE (Cobra Night Imaging Thermal Equipment) target designation system for use in bad weather or at night, radar warning receivers and replacement UHF/VHF radios.
Pakistan has previously taken delivery of 20 AH-1S Cobras which entered service from late 1984. Nineteen are reported to be still operational - one having presumably been lost through attrition. the type is operated by 31 and 32 squadrons, both based at Multan.

Based on this quite accurate information, the total strength of cobras in PAA is
19+20=39.