Pakistan asked US to provide 10 helis and 2 AC's

[melb4aust]

"Pakistan asked US to provide a squadron of 10 Helicopters and 2 Aircrafts to counter terrorism. Director General Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema declare in one of his interview to AAP on saturday evening."

http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/apr2006-daily/16-04-2006/main.htm

What kind of Helis are they going to be, similarly the aircrafts?

What i guess that they have asked for "Super Cobra" helicopters, im not sure about the aircrafts though i think either they are F-16 fighters or C-130 transport aircrafts.

 

[EagleEyes]

I searched, and couldn't find any news in english.

The helicopters will be AH-1W Super Cobra

http://www.hqmc.usmc.mil/factfile.nsf/0/a251c8116905c4b98525626d00777b4b?OpenDocument

They are the latest version of the Cobra helicopters. Pakistan already has them, and now is acquiring more, maybe because of its role in the Balochistan and Waziristan area. Its possible that Apaches weren't acquired because of their maintenance and cost. If we had the money i believe Apaches would be the answer as they have being used in Afghanistan very effectively.

 

[MOO]

So th PAF is going to be getting Super Cobras, nice purchase for them. I wonder what the 2 aircrafts are going to be, hopefully new transport militar planes maybe.

 

[EagleEyes]

And its also possible that the two planes are for surveillance and reconnaissance seeing why more Super Cobras were needed. Nonetheless just a speculation. Everything will be cleared tomorrow.

 

[InsightDubai]

So much military procurement, are they for free?

 

[Nasir]

Nobody knows what two planes are, its probably a secret and will remain a secret.

US should provide helicopter for combating terrorism: Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged upon US to provide an air squadron comprising of 10 helicopters and two planes for its interior ministry.

Interior ministry crisis management cell’s director general, Brigadier ® Javed Iqbal Cheema Saturday evening here in his office told this to newsmen. He had arrived back to the homeland only yesterday after attending a meeting of the Pak-US Joint Working Group set up for combating terrorism.

Brigadier ® Javed Iqbal Cheema told that the US would be training the functionaries of the law enforcing agencies in Pakistan for rooting out terrorism. He said that the US had all praise for Pakistan’s initiatives against terrorism.

He further said that the development projects in tribal areas, law and order situation, police reforms, automated finger prints, identification system besides other related matters came under discussions during the meeting. The meeting also deliberated on such important matters like thwarting drugs smuggling.

Courtesy Geo

 

[melb4aust]

I think Pakistan have asked US to provide that squadran for free of cost, in order to help to continue their missions near afghan border.

That aircraft thing is still a mystery. Lets see how US responds.

 

[Munir]

best option:
10 Apache ah-64D
2 Hercules gunships

medium option:
10 W version Cobra / AH-64 A
2 predators

low option:
10 F version Cobra
2 RC prop planes

 

[Neo]

Munir,

Do you have any update about PA's interst in Longbow's reported in the media back in 2002?
Isn't is a much more expansive platform than the Super Cobra?

 

[Neo]

Pak to get US choppers for anti-terror operation
Press Trust of India

Islamabad, April 16, 2006

The United States would provide two fixed-wing aircraft and a fleet of 10 helicopters to Pakistan to beef up operations against terrorism and drug trafficking in the Pak-Afghan border.
In addition to this, the US has also shown readiness to provide intelligence equipments for surveillance on the border with Afghanistan, Brigadier (Retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema, Director General of the National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) attached to the Pakistan's Interior Ministry, said.

Washington made the commitment to provide the new aircraft during the meeting of US-Pak Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism/Law Enforcement in the US. The Pakistani delegation at the talks was headed by Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao.

"The US officials committed to provide us the air squad when we put up this demand during the meeting of the Joint Working Group," Cheema said without giving details of what kind of aircraft Pakistan would be getting. When the new aircraft joins its ranks, the fleet at the disposal of Interior Ministry would go up to 12, he said.

Cheema, who attended the talks, also said the meeting discussed the national criminal database, counter-narcotics, threat assessment in the Federally Administered Tribal Area as well as political changes there and political and ideological dimensions of countering terrorism.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/...00500020000.htm

 

[Munir]

They are intrested if it is for free. Who would be crazy to get 10 choppers (1 squadron) and pay a lot without security of getting more spares. Pakistan showed that the regular choppers were either not good enough (Cobra is nice but Apache has better long range missiles and IR... And better armour). US delivered more Cobra (only older F version and not W (double engine) version). Now they asked to get better weapons... They have the right to do so cause the battles is for the US so why get so many Pakistani soldiers killed while they could have 10 choppers which aren't the latest tech anyway...

 

[RAPTOR]

Munir,

Do you have any update about PA's interst in Longbow's reported in the media back in 2002?
Isn't is a much more expansive platform than the Super Cobra?

One Longbow can do the job of 10 Cobras. Yeah its an expensive platform..but nothing comes close to it. If Pakistan is worried about a steady supply of spares.....well Saudi Arabia and UAE also fly Apaches. The 20 or so odd Cobras that have been given to Pakistan for the WOT....dont even have Night vision capability let alone Hellfire missiles which PA needs badly.

 

[melb4aust]

Yeah night vision do keep alot of importance to PAF, as they have'nt got that on any of their choppers. Does the super cobra helis have the night vision capability. As far as i know that pakistani cobra helis can carry AIM9X sidewinder for air-air combat as well. As you said that Apache has better long range missiles and IR, it is unlikely that US would provide them to PAF. But who knows, things have changed alot in the last couple of years....

 

[Munir]

Cobra did receive c-nite upgrade so you guys got it wrong.

 

[RAPTOR]

Cobra did receive c-nite upgrade so you guys got it wrong.

Are you sure about that? because last i heard they were using Night VISION Goggles also provided by the US. The Super Cobra has Night vision capability.