Surplus OH-58D, an option for Pakistan Army?

[imiakhtar]

The US budget cuts are coming into effect and the US Army has decided the OH-58 is surplus to requirements. Given the commonality of the frame with the Bell 206, the simplified spares logistics and training would make it a good fit for Pakistan. That is if the price is right:


The US Army has started grounding some of its Bell Helicopter OH-58 Kiowa Warriors and is now seeking buyers for the aircraft, including possible foreign customers.

“We assume that these aircraft would be at a price point [that some countries] can afford,” Maj Gen Lynn Collyar, commanding general of army aviation and missile command, said on 6 May. Some countries “might like a different system or a new aircraft, but do not necessarily have the resources to do that,” he adds.

Collyar, who made his comments during the Army Aviation Association of America’s Mission Solutions Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, did not name potential customers. But he did say that Bell has agreed to support the aircraft should they be sold overseas.

US Army begins grounding Kiowas, seeks buyers - 5/7/2014 - Flight Global

 

[elitepilot09]

I think it would be a great stop-gap acquisition for us to augment our AH-1s before newer platforms (hopefully the T-129) are introduced. While these helicopters are only a fraction of the cost of modern attack helicopters, they still carry a hefty price tag of about 5 million per unit.

I would love to see it in service with us, but it wont happen unless the US recognizes that it might have to reduce the price in order for us to do what, after all, they want us to do in KPK/FATA.

 

[Umair Nawaz]

in article it doesnt mention anything abt pakistan.

 

[Luftwaffe]

in article it doesnt mention anything abt pakistan.

Pakistan can't get such products it would be again a maintenance issue for a new product in inventory. What we have is sufficient currently we are just short on funds otherwise Z-19 also seems a cheap alternative to older AH-1s. What Pakistan needs to do is ask for better Armor-more powerful Engine. If only Pakistan had money similar on the lines of JF-17...Z-19 inhouse production could have been asked for and possible, it all comes to hard cash what we call "moun mangi daam".

 

[Umair Nawaz]

Pakistan can't get such products it would be again a maintenance issue for a new product in inventory. What we have is sufficient currently we are just short on funds otherwise Z-19 also seems a cheap alternative to older AH-1s. What Pakistan needs to do is ask for better Armor-more powerful Engine. If only Pakistan had money similar on the lines of JF-17...Z-19 inhouse production could have been asked for and possible, it all comes to hard cash what we call "moun mangi daam".

we already have bell 206 so i dont think there will be issues in maintenance as sufficient expertise r there.

 

[Luftwaffe]

we already have bell 206 so i dont think there will be issues in maintenance as sufficient expertise r there.

PAA has Europcopter Fennec and 20 more ordered... for the fleet commonality more can be ordered in variants provided funds.

Armed Fennec helo for Pak army

 

[Kompromat]

US Army is retiring 100s of these. It may become a very good stop gap as they would be reasonably priced. They can scout our AH-1 Cobras and a new Helo that we are looking for, in an anti armor role.

 

[MilSpec]

US Army is retiring 100s of these. It may become a very good stop gap as they would be reasonably priced. They can scout our AH-1 Cobras and a new Helo that we are looking for, in an anti armor role.

Supply chain, maintenance, Parts, training, upgrades all wil cost a lot of money and I thought pakistan's budget was pretty tight.

 

[Kompromat]

Supply chain, maintenance, Parts, training, upgrades all wil cost a lot of money and I thought pakistan's budget was pretty tight.

Bell is negotiating with the US for servicing issues. Any servicing can be covered under FMS, till we can do it ourselves.

 

[Zarvan]

US Army is retiring 100s of these. It may become a very good stop gap as they would be reasonably priced. They can scout our AH-1 Cobras and a new Helo that we are looking for, in an anti armor role.

What happens it can carry ?

 

[Aamir Hussain]

IT is lightly armed with a chain gun or unguided rockets. It is primarily a scout and a laser designator platform for Cobras and or Apaches.

 

[Kompromat]

IT is lightly armed with a chain gun or unguided rockets. It is primarily a scout and a laser designator platform for Cobras and or Apaches.

HKhan says that Army already refused OH-58s for Bells.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Russian MI-35 is better fire power and troop carrier good fit for Pakistan Military need no need to waste on this copter

 

[Koovie]

Russian MI-35 is better fire power and troop carrier good fit for Pakistan Military need no need to waste on this copter

Its a SCOUT helicopter, its not meant to attack armoured formations like a MI 35.

 

[viper46]

aray bhai es helicop ka kaam kia hai???? upper 20 megapixel camera laga hua hai bus