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If the Pakistan Navy succeeds in signing a MILGEM/-G deal with Turkey (STM hopes to ink a contract in 2017), what would be the chances of the Navy also buying the T-70 (i.e. Turkish S-70i)?
Relative to all other modern naval utility helicopters (besides the Harbin Z-9), the T-70 is the most affordable platform.
The Navy had requested 6 surplus SH-60s from the U.S., but it dropped the offer when the US refused to provide the FFG-7s.
The all-in unit cost of a S-70B is about $21m.
The all-in unit cost of a Leonardo AW-159 is $40-50m.
Moreover, the S-70, while an American design, benefits from an expansive third-party user base and distributed supply chain, second only, perhaps, to the Russian Mi-8/Mi-17. The massive commercial and civilian user base is helpful too.
In other words, if embargoed, it wouldn't be insanely difficult to keep operating the helicopter. Spare parts are available in a lot of places.
Turkey will also manufacture the Black Hawk in its entirety, including the turboshaft engines and transmission. TAI was even given export licenses for the purpose of getting Sikorsky into the door of countries with a "weaker" relationship with the U.S.
The TAI T-70 will assuredly be compatible with Western and, in the context of the MILGEM/-G, Turkish anti-surface and anti-submarine munitions. TAI will be sourcing the electronics from Aselsan.
Relative to all other modern naval utility helicopters (besides the Harbin Z-9), the T-70 is the most affordable platform.
The Navy had requested 6 surplus SH-60s from the U.S., but it dropped the offer when the US refused to provide the FFG-7s.
The all-in unit cost of a S-70B is about $21m.
The all-in unit cost of a Leonardo AW-159 is $40-50m.
Moreover, the S-70, while an American design, benefits from an expansive third-party user base and distributed supply chain, second only, perhaps, to the Russian Mi-8/Mi-17. The massive commercial and civilian user base is helpful too.
In other words, if embargoed, it wouldn't be insanely difficult to keep operating the helicopter. Spare parts are available in a lot of places.
Turkey will also manufacture the Black Hawk in its entirety, including the turboshaft engines and transmission. TAI was even given export licenses for the purpose of getting Sikorsky into the door of countries with a "weaker" relationship with the U.S.
The TAI T-70 will assuredly be compatible with Western and, in the context of the MILGEM/-G, Turkish anti-surface and anti-submarine munitions. TAI will be sourcing the electronics from Aselsan.
