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| India-Pakistan |
| Four helicopters returned to army after US-funded maintenance |
| 2010-07-15 |
| Four Pakistan Army Mi-17 helicopters after maintenance overhauls, funded by the US, were returned to the army on Wednesday at the Chaklala Air Base. The overhaul programme provides critical support to the Pakistan Army by expediting maintenance and returning urgently-needed aircraft for flight operations. The US has funded maintenance overhauls for 24 Pakistan Army Mi-17s, twelve of which were completed and returned last year. The remaining eight helicopters are scheduled for delivery later this year. The US is also coordinating to fund overhauls for another 10 Mi-17s, and has recently delivered two Bell 412 helicopters to the Pakistan Army. Another 13 AH-1F Cobras have been procured for use as spare parts to further enhance operations of the Pakistan Army Aviation. Since 2001, the US has provided more than $12 billion to Pakistan in security assistance, training and equipment, which also includes $8.1 billion in Coalition Support Fund (CSF) reimbursements. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #4 The Cobra's came out of the junk yard and are used as spare parts bins because Bell no longer makes parts for them.The ten MI-17's are the only cost effective anc capable aircraft for that area. Our Blackhawks have problems with the heat and altitude. They are also expensive to maintain and procure. The MI 17 is the AK47 of the helicopter world. Cheap, easy to maintain and fly, and dependable. Giving money to Pak still does not sit well with me but their choice of aircraft is sound. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2010-07-15 09:44 |
| #3 In this case, I think it's a good investment, and to the point. The Pakis have become complete converts to the cult of the helicopter, and now think it is the greatest thing since rotor sliced bread. *And*, they are using their helicopters with great fury against the bad guys in bloody mountain ops. And they have a pretty good argument, that "You give us more helicopters, we kill more Taliban." Which is pretty persuasive, given their current performance. In fact, helicopters could change the regional picture. They are proving so effective that Pakistan will probably start making their own. Which would also mean a steady stream of helicopters to the Afghan government--for the same purpose. They could do for Pak-Afghan what they did for Vietnam. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2010-07-15 09:14 |
| #2 Glad you caught yours, Big Jim. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2010-07-15 08:11 |
| #1 I just threw up a little bit in my mouth. |
| Posted by: bigjim-CA 2010-07-15 04:29 |