Bilal Khan (Quwa)
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Yep.
One idea is picking up Denel's Rooivalk Mk2.
Denel is mostly using the same design, but I think there's scope for replacing the engine and dynamic parts with newer versions. Remember, the Rooivalk is derived from the Puma, so Pakistan could speak to Airbus Helicopters and Safran Group to provide new engines and critical components (from the H225m Caracal).
It's doable, though it may require us to give Airbus something in return, like another helicopter order. The key point though is that neither the Makila 2A engine or the H225M are 'new' systems. They're extensively updated versions of older technology, so getting deep ToT for them isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Again, it depends on what we're willing to give to Airbus. First, I'd agree with Airbus to pay a license fee for every Rooivalk Mk2 sold overseas (assuming we get exports, which I doubt). Second, we can look at replacing our older Mi-17s and Sea Kings with the H225M, which would have deep commonality with the Rooivalk Mk2. Finally, but in the long-term, we can gradually replace the rest of the Mi-17/171s with H225Ms.
We look at manufacturing the Rooivalk Mk2 (with South Africa), and we co-produce (but mostly import) the H225M from Europe. It's a win-win for all sides involved, and probably not the most expensive option either.
The alternative to that is that we go completely clean-sheet by joining in Turkey's ATAK-2 and 10-ton General Purpose Helicopter (GPH). The ATAK-2 and GPH will likely use the same engine, critical parts, etc, so the deep commonality is there as well. And we know for a fact that Turkey is looking for partners to share in its projects, which would help it build economies-of-scale, distribute R&D funding, etc.
We can gradually replace the Puma and Mi-171 with the GPH, while make the ATAK-2 our mainstay attack helicopter (esp. for anti-armour operations). This approach will see us integrate our supply chain with Turkey as well.
Finally, we could also work with Leonardo on the AW149 and AH249. Like the ATAK-2/GPH and Rooivalk/Caracal, the AW149 and AW249 will have deep commonality with one another. The engine would come from Safran Group, so an ITAR-free option. I'm not sure how much Leonardo will share with us, but if we commit to large orders and foot a portion of the development costs, we should get something meaningful (50/50 co-production).
If we want to get imaginative, we can also work with Turkey on a custom 6-7-ton variant of the T129. So, it'd use the Turkish engine and co-developed avionics and weapons. But we ask to manufacture it turnkey in Pakistan (while Turkey moves onto the ATAK-2). We make this helicopter our mainstay, manufacture 120~180 of them.
One idea is picking up Denel's Rooivalk Mk2.
Denel is mostly using the same design, but I think there's scope for replacing the engine and dynamic parts with newer versions. Remember, the Rooivalk is derived from the Puma, so Pakistan could speak to Airbus Helicopters and Safran Group to provide new engines and critical components (from the H225m Caracal).
It's doable, though it may require us to give Airbus something in return, like another helicopter order. The key point though is that neither the Makila 2A engine or the H225M are 'new' systems. They're extensively updated versions of older technology, so getting deep ToT for them isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Again, it depends on what we're willing to give to Airbus. First, I'd agree with Airbus to pay a license fee for every Rooivalk Mk2 sold overseas (assuming we get exports, which I doubt). Second, we can look at replacing our older Mi-17s and Sea Kings with the H225M, which would have deep commonality with the Rooivalk Mk2. Finally, but in the long-term, we can gradually replace the rest of the Mi-17/171s with H225Ms.
We look at manufacturing the Rooivalk Mk2 (with South Africa), and we co-produce (but mostly import) the H225M from Europe. It's a win-win for all sides involved, and probably not the most expensive option either.
The alternative to that is that we go completely clean-sheet by joining in Turkey's ATAK-2 and 10-ton General Purpose Helicopter (GPH). The ATAK-2 and GPH will likely use the same engine, critical parts, etc, so the deep commonality is there as well. And we know for a fact that Turkey is looking for partners to share in its projects, which would help it build economies-of-scale, distribute R&D funding, etc.
We can gradually replace the Puma and Mi-171 with the GPH, while make the ATAK-2 our mainstay attack helicopter (esp. for anti-armour operations). This approach will see us integrate our supply chain with Turkey as well.
Finally, we could also work with Leonardo on the AW149 and AH249. Like the ATAK-2/GPH and Rooivalk/Caracal, the AW149 and AW249 will have deep commonality with one another. The engine would come from Safran Group, so an ITAR-free option. I'm not sure how much Leonardo will share with us, but if we commit to large orders and foot a portion of the development costs, we should get something meaningful (50/50 co-production).
If we want to get imaginative, we can also work with Turkey on a custom 6-7-ton variant of the T129. So, it'd use the Turkish engine and co-developed avionics and weapons. But we ask to manufacture it turnkey in Pakistan (while Turkey moves onto the ATAK-2). We make this helicopter our mainstay, manufacture 120~180 of them.
