GriffinsRule
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2015
- Messages
- 3,394
- Reaction score
- 7
- Country
- Location
The Sea King is perhaps long in the tooth however its compatriots, of which Z-9 is not one, don't come cheap.
The Z-9 in Pakistan Navy is replacing the SA-316 to some extent. Why we had to buy used Sea Kings should be no surprise to anyone. It does tide us over for another decade or so of having a proper heliborne ASW capability and given we just lost a Sea King in an accident, had the three recent ones not been acquired, it would have been a significant dent in our force. If nothing else, we can look at these latest additions are attrition replacements for future.
The real replacement for the Sea King would have to be in the shape of either of these helicopters. The offer the size, range, sensor capabilities and the ability to carry anti-ship/sub weapons etc. Here is the list in order (in my opinion) of capability. You can decide then if PN is in the position to buy these right now or not after looking at the latest costs of these beauties and then lament on the fact that why we ask for shinny toys but don't pay taxes.
(Not flyaway costs, but total costs that include training etc., which Pakistan would also incur with any new platform. Sea King don't have these additional costs.)
Agusta Westland AW-101; $102MM (per latest Nowegian contract for 16 for $1.632B)
Sikorsky MH-60; unit cost $83MM (per latest IN contract for 24 helos for $2B).
Airbus H225M; est unit cost $70MM (per Brazils contract for 50 for $2.7B including cheaper versions for AF (18) and Army (16) vs Navy (16))
NHIndustries NH-90; unit cost $88MM (split the difference between Germany Navys costs of $45MM vs Qatars order at $132MM each)
Sea Kings Used ones Pakistan just bought (3 refurbished, 4 for salvaging parts). Anyone able to find the contract price with Vector Aviation for the refurb?
The Z-9 in Pakistan Navy is replacing the SA-316 to some extent. Why we had to buy used Sea Kings should be no surprise to anyone. It does tide us over for another decade or so of having a proper heliborne ASW capability and given we just lost a Sea King in an accident, had the three recent ones not been acquired, it would have been a significant dent in our force. If nothing else, we can look at these latest additions are attrition replacements for future.
The real replacement for the Sea King would have to be in the shape of either of these helicopters. The offer the size, range, sensor capabilities and the ability to carry anti-ship/sub weapons etc. Here is the list in order (in my opinion) of capability. You can decide then if PN is in the position to buy these right now or not after looking at the latest costs of these beauties and then lament on the fact that why we ask for shinny toys but don't pay taxes.
(Not flyaway costs, but total costs that include training etc., which Pakistan would also incur with any new platform. Sea King don't have these additional costs.)
Agusta Westland AW-101; $102MM (per latest Nowegian contract for 16 for $1.632B)
Sikorsky MH-60; unit cost $83MM (per latest IN contract for 24 helos for $2B).
Airbus H225M; est unit cost $70MM (per Brazils contract for 50 for $2.7B including cheaper versions for AF (18) and Army (16) vs Navy (16))
NHIndustries NH-90; unit cost $88MM (split the difference between Germany Navys costs of $45MM vs Qatars order at $132MM each)
Sea Kings Used ones Pakistan just bought (3 refurbished, 4 for salvaging parts). Anyone able to find the contract price with Vector Aviation for the refurb?
