When it rains, it pours. After the United States’ (US) Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) published the offers for the AH-1Z Viper and AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters, news about them have regularly come up a lot. Here are additional details of the program:
* The Pro-US Inquirer got a response from the Senior Manager for Global Sales of Bell Corporation who is touting their Viper’s Marine Capability, allowing them to be used from our Naval Ships with Helicopter Facilities.
* The article reiterated the fact that the offers published in the DSCA are not final and could be adjusted depending on the Philippines’ requirements. But of course we have to remember also that the cheaper the package, the less Weapons, Spares, Training, etc. will be available for the aircraft.
* Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) reportedly offered 6 T129 ATAK Helicopters for Php 13 billion, or Usd 255 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51. That is equal to only around Usd 43 million per aircraft.
* Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that for the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) budget for the Attack Helicopters, they could buy only 2. He did not specifically mention which helicopter he was referring to, but it could be the Viper since that is the main topic of the article.
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My guess based on these is that the DND and PAF seems to be willing to wait things out until TAI irons out the supply problems of the T129 and is able to finally sign the Contract with them.
Previous reports months ago is that TAI is planning to use their indigenously developed TS1400 engine which is set to be ready by the end of this year.
Another option for TAI is the use of the French made Arrano 1A Engines, but so far I could not find a timeline for the integration of those in the internet.
Frankly, seeing how the US is squeezing and making things very hard for Turkey is a clear illustration of how the Americans are willing to use their Military equipment as a Pawn for Political purposes.
Aircraft like these Attack Helicopters need a regular supply of Spare Parts and Weapons, and the US could easily just turn off access to them whenever it suits them politically. They’ve done this many times in the past, and will continue to do so.
SOURCES:
* US Chopper Maker offers Vipers to PH Air Force
* TUSAS'dan Atak Ustune Atak
* Update (2019): Pakisan's T129 ATAK Attack Helicopter Purchase
Check out my Links: https://linktr.ee/rhk111
* The Pro-US Inquirer got a response from the Senior Manager for Global Sales of Bell Corporation who is touting their Viper’s Marine Capability, allowing them to be used from our Naval Ships with Helicopter Facilities.
* The article reiterated the fact that the offers published in the DSCA are not final and could be adjusted depending on the Philippines’ requirements. But of course we have to remember also that the cheaper the package, the less Weapons, Spares, Training, etc. will be available for the aircraft.
* Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) reportedly offered 6 T129 ATAK Helicopters for Php 13 billion, or Usd 255 million at the Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 51. That is equal to only around Usd 43 million per aircraft.
* Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that for the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) budget for the Attack Helicopters, they could buy only 2. He did not specifically mention which helicopter he was referring to, but it could be the Viper since that is the main topic of the article.
**************************************************
My guess based on these is that the DND and PAF seems to be willing to wait things out until TAI irons out the supply problems of the T129 and is able to finally sign the Contract with them.
Previous reports months ago is that TAI is planning to use their indigenously developed TS1400 engine which is set to be ready by the end of this year.
Another option for TAI is the use of the French made Arrano 1A Engines, but so far I could not find a timeline for the integration of those in the internet.
Frankly, seeing how the US is squeezing and making things very hard for Turkey is a clear illustration of how the Americans are willing to use their Military equipment as a Pawn for Political purposes.
Aircraft like these Attack Helicopters need a regular supply of Spare Parts and Weapons, and the US could easily just turn off access to them whenever it suits them politically. They’ve done this many times in the past, and will continue to do so.
SOURCES:
* US Chopper Maker offers Vipers to PH Air Force
* TUSAS'dan Atak Ustune Atak
* Update (2019): Pakisan's T129 ATAK Attack Helicopter Purchase
Check out my Links: https://linktr.ee/rhk111
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