Air Force Buys Light Attack Planes For Afghans -- Not U.S.

[Skull and Bones]

I thought India has it's own propeller aircraft?

As of now, this rusty old trainer is doing its job.

 

[Sher Malang]

They don't have the expertise to fly jet fighters, as of now. And they don't have that kind of threat either.

Yes we need trainers and infra for at least more 6 years than we may decide future jets after looking our budget.

 

[acetophenol]

As of now, this rusty old trainer is doing its job.

i thought they where grounded??????

 

[Skull and Bones]

We might see this flying anytime sooner.

---------- Post added at 08:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 PM ----------

i thought they where grounded??????

Still very much active.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I think the thought the teeth in plane are worth 7 million alone

 

[Lighting_Fighter]

I think JF-17 thunder is not a bad aircraft but we could have purchased some used F-16s too but still the flying cost and maintenance might not allowed us to buy them.

Dear Brother, I don't know about afghan military budget, but I think, for now, you should go for F-7 aircraft variety for Afghanistan. Do not take F-7 lightly. China, Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh still operate this aircraft. What is your budget? In my opinion 10 to 20 F-7 will do well for Afghanistan. If you do not want F-7, then try Yak-130. I wouldn't order anything else.

 

[Sher Malang]

Dear Brother, I don't know about afghan military budget, but I think, for now, you should go for F-7 aircraft variety for Afghanistan. Do not take F-7 lightly. China, Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh still operate this aircraft. What is your budget? In my opinion 10 to 20 F-7 will do well for Afghanistan. If you do not want F-7, then try Yak-130. I wouldn't order anything else.

Our annual budget is around $11 bln which is paid by USA and her allies and Afghanistan hasn't invested a penny on ANSF in these 10 years so I can't predict anything coming from our own budget; We have grounded at least 20 MiG-21s so I don't think AAF will chose F-7.

 

[Tshering22]

Dear Brother, I don't know about afghan military budget, but I think, for now, you should go for F-7 aircraft variety for Afghanistan. Do not take F-7 lightly. China, Nigeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh still operate this aircraft. What is your budget? In my opinion 10 to 20 F-7 will do well for Afghanistan. If you do not want F-7, then try Yak-130. I wouldn't order anything else.

Respect your opinion but you buy F-7 because there is dedicated infrastructure that is already there. Some reasons why this is not going to happen:

- NATO funds the AAF's program. So no Chinese jets. NATO is more comfortable buying Russian weapons for Afghanistan.
- AAF has a long way to go to induct modern jet engine fighters and manage its operating costs.


Being in nascent stage of building an air force, AAF should focus on four main types of aircraft:

1- Heavy transports: With a terrain like Afghanistan's, aerial connectivity to support ground troops and supply weapons and food is most critical. C-27J Super Spartans meet these requirements well.

Used for transport personnel over a short span of time to short airfields, light transports offer AAF a capability that they need until they are capable enough to deploy bigger and more strategic platforms.

2- Multirole helicopters: With unprepared runways everywhere, there is little guarantee that aircraft accessibility can be all over. Helicopters that can perform well in high altitudes, handle harsh winds, are durable, easy to maintain and can be modified into a multitude of roles like MEDEVAC, troop deployment and ground support.

Being Indian, I would recommend the Dhruv series of helicopters. But then it is upto Afghanistan to decide what they want..

The medium or Heavy division could use Mi-17V5s. They are the latest versions that we ordered and are pretty effective.

4- Gunships- Cost-effective, manageable and most essential in getting rid of Talibunnies. AAF needs rotary wing attack platforms most critically right now as gunships form the base foundation of any air force even today. Able to take off from smallest of places, Attack helicopters would play a critical role in shaping the AAF combat division.

Mi-28 Night Hunters would fit the bill perfectly for heavy division. Light division's choice is upto them.

5- CAS fixed wing aircraft: To support rapid air support to the gunships, these are needed badly. The US decision to provide AAF with Embraer Super Tucano attack aircraft is ideal. Proven in South America, cheap to maintain and operate and deliver enough firepower, these aircraft would make ideal founding stone for Afghanistan.


Give AAF time to mature and then it can maintain its own advanced series of fighter jets.

 

[Tshering22]

Our annual budget is around $11 bln which is paid by USA and her allies and Afghanistan hasn't invested a penny on ANSF in these 10 years so I can't predict anything coming from our own budget; We have grounded at least 20 MiG-21s so I don't think AAF will chose F-7.

Right now, the following would be best for your air force:

Fixed wing

- Embraer Super Tucano light attack aircraft.

- C-27J tactical transport aircraft

- CASA-295 light transport aircraft

Rotary

- Mi-17V5 medium lift transport helicopters

- Dhruv ALH light multirole helicopters

- Mi-28N heavy attack helicopters

_____________________________

You should not look for anything more than this right now and give it time to mature.

 

[CONTINUATOR]

Our annual budget is around $11 bln which is paid by USA and her allies and Afghanistan hasn't invested a penny on ANSF in these 10 years so I can't predict anything coming from our own budget; We have grounded at least 20 MiG-21s so I don't think AAF will chose F-7.

Your budget is $11 bln dollar. Wow, simply wow.

 

[tvsram1992]

Afgan should seriously look for Jf-17

 

[Abingdonboy]

There were reports a while back the Afghan AF were interested in the Indian ALH WSI but the request was turned down by India due to political considerations. I wonder with recent news and the signing of the strategic partnership if this decision will be reviewed.

 

[Lighting_Fighter]

talking about flying machines, who do Afghanistan will use it against? Iran or Pakistan will not invade them while nato is or isn't there. And when nato is gone, taliban will take over the country. So who will you use them against anyway? I rather suggest use that sum to strenthen your social structure. If your social structure is well taken care off, then you would need less flying machines.

 

[Lighting_Fighter]

Now I am sure that if you get fighter jet you will be force to use them against Pakistan. Iran highly unlikely but possible.

 

[Sher Malang]

Respect your opinion but you buy F-7 because there is dedicated infrastructure that is already there. Some reasons why this is not going to happen:

- NATO funds the AAF's program. So no Chinese jets. NATO is more comfortable buying Russian weapons for Afghanistan.
- AAF has a long way to go to induct modern jet engine fighters and manage its operating costs.


Being in nascent stage of building an air force, AAF should focus on four main types of aircraft:

1- Heavy transports: With a terrain like Afghanistan's, aerial connectivity to support ground troops and supply weapons and food is most critical. C-27J Super Spartans meet these requirements well.

Used for transport personnel over a short span of time to short airfields, light transports offer AAF a capability that they need until they are capable enough to deploy bigger and more strategic platforms.

2- Multirole helicopters: With unprepared runways everywhere, there is little guarantee that aircraft accessibility can be all over. Helicopters that can perform well in high altitudes, handle harsh winds, are durable, easy to maintain and can be modified into a multitude of roles like MEDEVAC, troop deployment and ground support.

Being Indian, I would recommend the Dhruv series of helicopters. But then it is upto Afghanistan to decide what they want..


The medium or Heavy division could use Mi-17V5s. They are the latest versions that we ordered and are pretty effective.

4- Gunships- Cost-effective, manageable and most essential in getting rid of Talibunnies. AAF needs rotary wing attack platforms most critically right now as gunships form the base foundation of any air force even today. Able to take off from smallest of places, Attack helicopters would play a critical role in shaping the AAF combat division.

Mi-28 Night Hunters would fit the bill perfectly for heavy division. Light division's choice is upto them.

5- CAS fixed wing aircraft: To support rapid air support to the gunships, these are needed badly. The US decision to provide AAF with Embraer Super Tucano attack aircraft is ideal. Proven in South America, cheap to maintain and operate and deliver enough firepower, these aircraft would make ideal founding stone for Afghanistan.


Give AAF time to mature and then it can maintain its own advanced series of fighter jets.

You have very good analysed the requirement and I too think that NATO will not go for Chinese aircraft hey have even replaced all Russian light and heavy weapons to NATO's favorite weapons, they even had chosen some NATO helis but since AAF personal since decades are dependent on Russian helis so they changed their mind to purchase 65 Mi-17v5 and 3 Mi-17DV; further more they purchased 20 C-27A Spartan of which 14s are delivered, they signed contract with Cessna for purchase of 26 (Light transport/ Advanced fixed-wing trainer) Cessna 208 Caravan of which 8s are delivered, 6 Cessna 182 as Elementary trainer, another contract signed for 54 MD Helicopters MD 500 as Light utility and helicopter trainer of which 6 of them is delivered.. and yeah we have 9 Mi-35 gunships currently.

---------- Post added at 10:03 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 AM ----------

Your budget is $11 bln dollar. Wow, simply wow.

It's high because Afghan National Security Force are under training and they need all basic supplies and weapons; once this training program which is in huge scale finish this budget might decrease to a level of 3 to 4 bln $.