Quwa
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For everyone's interest:
Apparently, Pakistan is forming an air assault division that will include an unknown number of Mi-35 and 20~25 AH-1Z Viper. We might see the AH-1Z and CH-47 request come up around the same time. IMHO it is fine if AH-1Z and Mi-35 are fully committed to COIN, but the PA should consider producing its own attack and medium-lift utility helicopters in the long-term. For example, the South African NAH/Rooivalk II and AW-149 would be good programs to get into...with AW149 serving as a standard utility aircraft across the military as well as civilian (emergency relief, hospital, police, etc) services.
Pakistan Army Seeks To Rearm To Enter Taliban Lair - Defense NewsHowever, defense analyst Haris Khan of the Pakistan Military Consortium said that Moscow also could fulfill the Army's gunship needs.
"Pakistan has somehow acquired five Mi-35 Hinds," he said. "These are to be part of a new air assault division, which should be formed by the year 2012."
Pakistan Eyes Boost in Transport, Lift - Defense NewsAs Khan stated, however, the Army is still looking to buy more Mi-17s, plus Mi-35 Hinds, CH-47 Chinooks and one dedicated version of a gunship helicopter, to establish an airborne division.
Apparently, Pakistan is forming an air assault division that will include an unknown number of Mi-35 and 20~25 AH-1Z Viper. We might see the AH-1Z and CH-47 request come up around the same time. IMHO it is fine if AH-1Z and Mi-35 are fully committed to COIN, but the PA should consider producing its own attack and medium-lift utility helicopters in the long-term. For example, the South African NAH/Rooivalk II and AW-149 would be good programs to get into...with AW149 serving as a standard utility aircraft across the military as well as civilian (emergency relief, hospital, police, etc) services.
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