Army to seek 20 SuperCobra helicopters from US

[sonicboom]

Army to seek 20 SuperCobra helicopters from US

By Amin Ahmed
Thursday, 31 Dec, 2009

Pakistan currently has 32 Cobra attack helicopters

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army is likely to seek US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to acquire 20 SuperCobra helicopters to reinforce its fleet of ageing Cobra attack helicopters, which are being extensively used in operations against terrorists in tribal regions.

According to the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report published by the US State Department, the army envisions acquiring the SuperCobra helicopters. The helicopters alone, it said, would cost at least $500 million and the total acquisition would cost up to $1 billion.

The report says that SuperCobra attack helicopters will not be available for foreign customers till 2015. Equipping the army with such helicopters earlier than 2015 will require either increased production or their diversion from the US Marine Corps.

The report says that Pakistan is likely to maintain its current force of Cobra helicopters, supplemented by armed Bell 412 aircraft. Pakistan currently has 32 Cobra attack helicopters. The sustainability of the current fleet of the helicopters is difficult but possible through commercial channels.

However, the US government is currently spending $75 million from the Pakistan Counter-insurgency Funds to update a portion of the existing Cobra fleet.

Pakistan army has received two squadrons of Cobras since 1983, later upgraded with the ‘C-NITE thermal imaging’ package.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | Army to seek 20 SuperCobra helicopters from US

 

[Rank]

Army to seek 20 SuperCobra helicopters from US

By Amin Ahmed
Thursday, 31 Dec, 2009

Pakistan currently has 32 Cobra attack helicopters

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army is likely to seek US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to acquire 20 SuperCobra helicopters to reinforce its fleet of ageing Cobra attack helicopters, which are being extensively used in operations against terrorists in tribal regions.

According to the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report published by the US State Department, the army envisions acquiring the SuperCobra helicopters. The helicopters alone, it said, would cost at least $500 million and the total acquisition would cost up to $1 billion.

The report says that SuperCobra attack helicopters will not be available for foreign customers till 2015. Equipping the army with such helicopters earlier than 2015 will require either increased production or their diversion from the US Marine Corps.

The report says that Pakistan is likely to maintain its current force of Cobra helicopters, supplemented by armed Bell 412 aircraft. Pakistan currently has 32 Cobra attack helicopters. The sustainability of the current fleet of the helicopters is difficult but possible through commercial channels.

However, the US government is currently spending $75 million from the Pakistan Counter-insurgency Funds to update a portion of the existing Cobra fleet.

Pakistan army has received two squadrons of Cobras since 1983, later upgraded with the ‘C-NITE thermal imaging’ package.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | Army to seek 20 SuperCobra helicopters from US

I love this beast more than F16.....! Super Cobra Pakistan Army wahooo!!

 

[jha]

how lovely US looks when it gives something ...na???

 

[XYON]

how lovely US looks when it gives something ...na???

Just like you love Putin and Netanyahu!

 

[sudhir007]

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army is likely to seek US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to acquire 20 SuperCobra helicopters to reinforce its fleet of ageing Cobra attack helicopters, which are being extensively used in operations against terrorists in tribal regions.

According to the Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report published by the US State Department, the army envisions acquiring the SuperCobra helicopters. The helicopters alone, it said, would cost at least $500 million and the total acquisition would cost up to $1 billion.

The report says that SuperCobra attack helicopters will not be available for foreign customers till 2015. Equipping the army with such helicopters earlier than 2015 will require either increased production or their diversion from the US Marine Corps.

The report says that Pakistan is likely to maintain its current force of Cobra helicopters, supplemented by armed Bell 412 aircraft. Pakistan currently has 32 Cobra attack helicopters. The sustainability of the current fleet of the helicopters is difficult but possible through commercial channels.

However, the US government is currently spending $75 million from the Pakistan Counter-insurgency Funds to update a portion of the existing Cobra fleet.

Pakistan army has received two squadrons of Cobras since 1983, later upgraded with the ‘C-NITE thermal imaging’ package.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | Army to seek 20 SuperCobra helicopters from US

 

[Luftwaffe]

here we go trapped again i am not against supercobras but 2015 hell by that time we would be in position to acquire 40 gunships from turkey/china less than 1 billion dollars..

 

[fatman17]

^^^this is all very nice, but our requirement is 'immediate induction' for the ops in FATA.

heck! who knows 2015, the WoT may be over.

the best option would be additional Cobras AH-1F that can 'spell relief' for the existing fleet which by the by is 39 helos and not 32.

 

[Quwa]

http://propublica.s3.amazonaws.com/..._Pakistan_assistance_strategy reportFINAL.pdf

Replacement of AH-1F and AH-1S Platforms

Pakistan currently has 32 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters. Sustainment of these aircraft is difficult, but possible through commercial channels. Additionally, the U.S. Government will use $75 million in FY 2009 Pakistan Counterinsurgency Funds to update a portion of the existing Cobra fleet. Pakistan will likely seek to replace its current AH-1F and AH-1S Cobras when the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter becomes available for export, probably in 2015.

The AH-1 Cobra continues to be used at a high operational tempo, and Pakistan has a need for more attack helicopters for counter-insurgency missions. In the interim between now and the availability of the AH-1Z, we are implementing a program to arm Pakistan’s existing fleet of 24 Bell 412 helicopters funded by the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund (PCF).

Pakistan Army envisions acquiring 20 AH-1Z Cobras. The total cost of the acquisition will be at least $500 million for the helicopters alone, with a total acquisition cost up to $1 billion. The Pakistani Army will likely seek Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to fund the purchase of these helicopters.

Training and Sustainment

An Aviation Panther Team made up of U.S. and Pakistani rotary wing subject matter experts conducted an extensive review of Pakistani Army Aviation (PAA) needs from Jan-May 2009. The Department of State endorses the recommendations of their report as they relate to training and sustainment. The report analyzed the entire PAA helicopter fleet, but the recommendations are directly applicable to Pakistan’s attack helicopters and are broadly summarized below:

Pakistan operates too many airframes, some of which have outlived their useful life. Reducing these airframes and maximizing commonality and interoperability is key to improving training and sustainment.

Pakistan should comprehensively review their training programs with a focus towards producing highly qualified aviators, flight engineers and maintenance personnel in 12 months or less.

PAA should continue to utilize all available aviation flight, maintenance and professional development courses offered through the Security Assistance and Training Field Authority.

Formal aviation maintenance management automation and the associated training are prerequisites for future PAA maintenance and sustainment of a modernized fleet, and should be conducted through formal courses conducted locally and with partner nations.

Recently retired PAA aviators, flight engineers and maintainers should be actively recruited and returned to service as contractors.

Reduction of the aircraft fleet, and focus on common, interoperable systems will reduce warehousing and storage requirements, and will increase maintainer efficiency across these systems.​

Conclusion

Pakistan will likely maintain its current force of 29 AH-1F Cobra helicopters, supplemented by armed Bell 412 aircraft, until 2015 when the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter is expected to be available for export customers. Equipping the Pakistan Army with the AH-1Z any earlier than 2015 would require either increased production or diverting AH-1Zs from the USMC. Pakistan Army Aviation Command will continue to make incremental improvements in training and maintenance, partly by means of U.S. Government assistance through FMF, Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund, and other security assistance.

 

[AliFarooq]

I was amazed at cobras, I saw them practice low flying , they would hind behind trees and move tree to tree, it was awesome.

 

[Quwa]

This is a pretty key report, and it seems the PA really is interested in acquiring 20 AH-1Z "Viper" attack helicopters. Pakistani COIN capability is definitely a long-term matter that the U.S. has an interest in properly developing over the next few years. Thus, PA may certainly be able to secure FMF - if not proper Counter-Insurgency Funding - for the AH-1Z. H Khan on PakDef (and through DefenseNews) also said that PA has the option of acquiring 12-14 AH-1W Super Cobra from USMC. Although not 'immediate', the timeframe is 12-14 months, but certainly a sensible interim between replacing AH-1F/S and inducting AH-1Z from 2015.

 

[mjnaushad]

Its a good news for PA but US have history of backstabbing. Why dont Pakistan start its own Heli program?

 

[mrwarrior006]

originally posted by XYON
Just like you love Putin and Netanyahu!

s we love them so much tat we dont criticize them

 

[HAIDER]

Atleast PA can fire world most lethal HELLFIRE...carry double the load of existing cobra.

As far as China and Turkey, production will take atleast 5 years or more.. Plus both Helos need engine from foreign exporters.

 

[Gin ka Pakistan]

s we love them so much tat we dont criticize them

We love them so much but like a true friend we criticize them on every mistake they make Some how they have a habit of making a lot

 

[Quwa]

Even the Turkish T-129 uses an American engine, the only true 'fail-safe' option would be to develop one's own (or jointly). In any case, should PA actually acquire AH-1Z, it could receive them through Pakistan Counter-Insurgency Funds. Furthermore, there are additional systems the PA would like - in order to enhance its COIN capability of course - from the U.S. For example, in order extend the SOTF's capabilities as well as raise an Army Airborne element, the PA was hoping to acquire the CH-47 Chinook as well as UH-60 Black Hawk (link). Wouldn't be surprised if we one day see a Pakistan Army request to DSCA for Chinook, Black Hawk and Viper (AH-1Z). Nonetheless, this doesn't discount the need for Pakistan to begin a local-supply production line for medium and light transport helicopters.