US delivers 8 attack helicopters to Pakistan

[Awesome]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...nent_February59.xml&section=subcontinent&col=

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The United States delivered eight attack helicopters to Pakistan on Friday, bolstering the key US ally’s ability to combat Taleban and Al Qaeda militants suspected of attacking neighboring Afghanistan from Pakistan’s border areas

The Pakistani army took possession of the Cobra AH1-F helicopters in a ceremony at Qasim air base, near the capital, Islamabad, the US Embassy said. It said they were part of a US$50 million (Ð38.4 million) deal for a total of 20 refurbished helicopters.

The refurbished helicopters, which are specially equipped for night time operations, are “important weapons in our common fight,” US Ambassador Ryan Crocker said at the hand over ceremony, according to an embassy statement.

Afghanistan, the United States and the NATO-led coalition fighting Taleban and Al Qaeda rebels in Afghanistan are urging Pakistan to do more to stop the insurgents from using Pakistan’s remote border areas to launch attacks.

Pakistan insists it is doing all it can, pointing to the loss of hundreds of soldiers in operations against militants near the border with Afghanistan. President Pervez Musharraf said Friday that Pakistan will soon begin erecting fencing to reinforce the long, mountainous frontier.

“We understand and appreciate the very real sacrifices that Pakistan is making in the war on terror,” Crocker said.

Pakistan, which already has 19 Cobras, has been a vital US ally since it dropped its support for Afghanistan’s Taleban government in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Washington agreed last year to also sell F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan.

However, legislation introduced in January in the US Congress that would tie American military aid to Pakistan’s performance in countering militants is threatening the close ties between the US government and Musharraf.

“Such conditionality would be counterproductive” Crocker said.

Crocker said the aircraft deals “demonstrate the long-term commitment of the United States to all aspects of our strategic partnership with Pakistan.”

The US government has said it will seek changes to the bill before it is presented to President George W. Bush for signing into law.

 

[Neo]

U.S. gives eight Cobra helicopters to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -The United States handed over eight Cobra attack helicopters on Friday to Pakistan, which is under growing pressure to stop Taliban guerrillas crossing into Afghanistan to fight NATO forces.

Pakistani army helicopters, including Cobras, struck a suspected Taliban and al Qaeda hideout in the South Waziristan tribal region last month, killing up to 20 militants, according to intelligence sources.

Around 80 men and boys were killed in October by a similar strike on a militant-linked madrasa, or Islamic school, in another tribal agency on the border.

The eight AH1-F Cobras, equipped for night flying, are part of a $50-million foreign military sales program that will provide 20 refurbished helicopters to the Pakistani army.

"These helicopters are important weapons in our common fight against terrorism," U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker said at the handing-over ceremony in the garrison town of Rawalpindi.

Pakistan had already acquired 19 Cobras from the United States, a U.S. embassy statement said.

Crocker said the Cobras and the sale of F-16 warplanes to Islamabad agreed late last year "demonstrated the long-term commitment of the United States to all aspects of our strategic partnership with Pakistan."

In June 2004, the United States declared Pakistan to be a major non-NATO ally, making it easier to supply arms.

Relations between the United States and Pakistan have once again come under scrutiny, because of comments by U.S. and Afghan officials that the Taliban has bases in Pakistan.

A U.S. bill which was passed in the House of Representatives and is due to go to the Senate has proposed linking military aid to Pakistan to its efforts to tackle Taliban.

The U.S. embassy said this week the Bush administration was opposed to provisions in the bill on linking military aid.

Pakistan concedes there are Taliban fighters on its soil, but insists the insurgency is based in Afghanistan.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070202/pl_nm/pakistan_usa_arms_dc_1

 

[Neo]

Thanks for merging Asim, we must have opened the thread simultaniously.

 

[Awesome]

lol, I didn't. Must've been one of the others.

 

[A.Rahman]

lol, I didn't. Must've been one of the others.

It was me

 

[blain2]

One of the 8 delivered:

 

[Neo]

Wow, I like the colorscheme!
I thought the previous batch was all black.

 

[Abs]

Wow, I like the colorscheme!
I thought the previous batch was all black.

they were more of a olive green colour, quite plain but the new colour scheme does look good.

Cobra gunship

 

[falcone]

Very nice. Any idea on when the rest will arrive?

 

[Bull]

these helis look deadly.

 

[Adux]

Do they have Anti - Tank capability

 

[Abs]

Do they have Anti - Tank capability

yep, they use TOW-2A anti tank missiles

 

[Muradk]

They do not carry HellFire Missile. If I read the report right.

 

[EagleEyes]

yep, they use TOW-2A anti tank missiles

Baktar-Shikan too.

 

[Spring Onion]

I had seen those beauties out there these look wow love cobras we had few very damn good piolts who fly these nice cute friendly piolts