US, China, Russia compete over helicopter sales to Pakistan

[sonicboom]

US, China, Russia compete over helicopter sales to Pakistan
Chuang Shu-chung and Staff Reporte
2015-04-10

Another variant of the Super Cobra helicopter (AH-1W) comes in to land on the deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard on July 30, 2013 near Rockhampton, Australia. (Photo/CFP)

The US is trying to outdo Russia and China in arms sales to Pakistan, according to our Chinese-language sister paper Want Daily.

News that Pakistan bought two attack helicopters, a Chinese Z-10 and a Russian Mi-35, apparently left the US, which had previously been the major weapons supplier to the country, feeling left out. The US Department of State subsequently announced an offer to sell Pakistan 15 AH-1Z Super Cobra attack helicopters, reportedly to "support Pakistan's ability to counter terrorism."

Pakistan is replacing its outdated AH-1S/F Cobra attack helicopters for missions in Waziristan to tackle Taliban militias in the region.

The US is also offering arms including 1,000 AGM-114 Hellfire II anti-tank missiles, an identification friend or foe (IFF) system, missile warning systems, infrared radiation-emitting decoy projectiles and radar warning receivers (RWR), in all totaling US$952 million, according to Virgina-based global affairs newspaper Defense News.

Pakistan was reportedly taken aback at this news. Although Pakistan has long expressed its desire to buy Super Cobra helicopters from the US to replace its fleet of Cobras, the sale has been obstructed by certain members of the US congress. A military commentator stated that congress' change of heart is due to the competition between China and Russia to sell Pakistan its helicopters.

At the end of March, Alexey Yurievich Dedov, the Russian ambassador to Pakistan, announced that he had already received an order of 20 Mi-35 attack helicopters from Pakistan; Chinese produced Z-10s are also said to have arrived in Pakistan and are in assembly and undergoing test flights. At the start of April, Pakistan was reportedly negotiating with China again to buy eight submarines worth US$4-5 billion in total. Western media reports suggested this might be the largest arms deal yet for China.

On March 23, Pakistan held a Republic Day military parade in the country's capital of Islamabad. Amongst the weapons on display there were early warning aircraft, main battle tanks and the PAC JF-Thunder, co-developed by Pakistan and China, making Chinese weapons the focus of the event.

Pakistan is a big weapons client for China and forms the momentum behind China's drive to become a major weapons exporter, according to London's Financial Times. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute stated that in the last five years, four fifths of Chinese arms exports have been to Pakistan.

A Western media outlet cited former Pakistani diplomat Ali Sarwar Naqvi as saying, "China has its own strategic reasons to help Pakistan in this area [...] As India prepares to head into the Pacific Ocean, the Chinese are looking to head into the Indian Ocean."

US, China, Russia compete over helicopter sales to Pakistan｜WantChinaTimes.com

 

[Sulman Badshah]

US, China, Russia compete over helicopter sales to Pakistan
Chuang Shu-chung and Staff Reporte
2015-04-10



At the end of March, Alexey Yurievich Dedov, the Russian ambassador to Pakistan, announced that he had already received an order of 20 Mi-35 attack helicopters from Pakistan;


US, China, Russia compete over helicopter sales to Pakistan｜WantChinaTimes.com

So 20 Mi35 order have been confirmed .....

 

[abbasalai]

15...20 AH1 Z
10...15 Z1O
30... 40 MI35

 

[Paksanity]

Oh...man! so much attention suddenly?

 

[That Guy]

They're not competing. The mi35 is for antinarcotics, the z-10 is in testing and may be considered a workhorse heli if bought, the Zulu will be the high end heli and its pretty much clear that Pakistan will be buying it (unlike the z10,which I still in evaluation).

 

[Dalit]

What did I tell you folks? The Americans have only shown willingness to suddenly sell attack helicopters to Pakistan after the latter had access to them from China and Russia. The writing is on the wall. It is all about politics and the Americans are feeling the heat knowing that Pak has viable alternatives. They want to reinsert their political clout through these "goodwill" sales. Pak should do whatever is in its best interest. I know the American offer is highly tempting, but I would rather weigh the pros and cons.

Personally, I would recommend a mix of attack and transport choppers from all these countries. Pak requires as many choppers as possible. Both for attack as well as transport and relief purposes. I'm sure the professionals among us would have better suggestions.

 

[ACE OF THE AIR]

Then the French, Turkish, Italy & South Africa should also join in

 

[VelocuR]

This proof that Pakistan is still very important to these foreign countries.

 

[Dalit]

Then the French, Turkish, Italy & South Africa should also join in

I'm all for diversification, but the suppliers have to be reliable. There is no point in having hardware which becomes obsolete in times of need.

The Turks have already showcased and offered their chopper which is very potent I must say. It has a lot of input from the Italians. Although, Turkey is also reliant on outsiders for some critical spares and parts.

The French are India oriented. Don't expect anything from France.

Italy and South Africa are also interesting parties. Although, China, Russia and the US to a certain degree are the logical preferences.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

Another variant of the Super Cobra helicopter (AH-1W) comes in to land on the deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard on July 30, 2013 near Rockhampton, Australia. (Photo/CFP)

What did I tell you folks? The Americans have only shown willingness to suddenly sell attack helicopters to Pakistan after the latter had access to them from China and Russia.

Notice the pic says July 30, 2013...and that is the old style helicopter.
Is it too ridiculous to ask that our OWN troops have the AH-1Z first BEFORE we sell to you guys???

 

[Sulman Badshah]

Notice the pic says July 30, 2013...and that is the old style helicopter.
Is it too ridiculous to ask that our OWN troops have the AH-1Z first BEFORE we sell to you guys???

before pakistan USA have offered viper to south korea ... and Now US have approved sale of 15 Choppers to Pakistan

all the news clearly states AH1Z viper (newest version ) along with gadgets and hellfire missile

This media have posted old pic represent poor journalism

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

before pakistan USA have offered viper to south korea ... and Now US have approved sale of 15 Choppers to Pakistan

all the news clearly states AH1Z viper (newest version ) along with gadgets and hellfire missile

This media have posted old pic represent poor journalism

No, the pic is probably correct. You are missing the point. I am sure an old AH-1 was landing on that ship in 2013. It means in 2013 even the US hadn't filled all its OWN orders for AH1Z vipers.

 

[Dalit]

Notice the pic says July 30, 2013...and that is the old style helicopter.
Is it too ridiculous to ask that our OWN troops have the AH-1Z first BEFORE we sell to you guys???

You are wrong because the American government has in the past been unwilling to provide attack helicopters to Pakistan. Any request by Pakistan was denied outrightly due to political reasons. Even when Pakistan needed them most in the fight against the TTP. This change of heart is obvious as daylight.

 

[ACE OF THE AIR]

I'm all for diversification, but the suppliers have to be reliable. There is no point in having hardware which becomes obsolete in times of need.

The Turks have already showcased and offered their chopper which is very potent I must say. It has a lot of input from the Italians. Although, Turkey is also reliant on outsiders for some critical spares and parts.

The French are India oriented. Don't expect anything from France.

Italy and South Africa are also interesting parties. Although, China, Russia and the US to a certain degree are the logical preferences.

My post was to say that if it is competition than it should be free and fair.

Unfortunately Turkish and Italian are limited by the US engine. The South Africans though have not officially shown interest, due to the fact that Pakistan does not think that it up to the standard. This only leaves out the France (Tiger) which is under-powered.

The USA is only interested because they are seeing that if Pakistan gets the Z-10 / Mi-35 then they will loss out completely. Where as USA was the one who was always telling Pakistan to buy Russian equipment because they insisted that the Russians will not give Pakistan due to India.

Now there are two ways of USA to make some money:
1) To sell Pakistan the complete product and keep a close watch.
2) To allow US made engines on the Turkish or Italian Heli's but then they can not keep a close watch.

At the end the only conclusion that can be taken is that USA is not going to leave Pakistan because of her thinking of remaining a super power.

 

[born killer]

that is the right time for Pak to keep all these biggies in hand. We can demand whatevr we want frm anyone among thes, as pak hav better strategic position so they wil b constrain to meet our demands