10 December 2018
 |
The U.S Department of Defense is in talks with their Philippine counterpart on the acquisition of 10 AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, with 2 frames possibly funded by Foreign Military Sales (FMS) assistance. The US Department of Defense also puts the Philippines on notice that they might get a surplus fleet of 12 AH-1W Super Cobras retired by the US marines last year which the US started selling on the international arms market or donated via foreign military assistance (FMS). The newer AH-1W could also be upgraded to AH-1Z standards should the PAF put more money into the program. Under the Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP), the Philippine Air Force planned to acquire 24 attack helicopters valued at US$260 million (13.8 billion pesos). Decision to buy purpose-built attack helicopters gained traction in 2018 after Jordan donated 2 used AH-1F attack helicopters for the Philippine Air Force and the contenders for the project suddenly changed to Bell AH-IZ, Boeing AH-64E, Mil-28, Mil-24, TAI-129, and the Airbus EC665, which restricted quantity to at least 10 from the initial 24. At US$260 million budget, Russia scored the highest number of 24 helicopters at US$12 million each for the Mi-24 (Hind) followed by Turkey with about 10 T-129 helicopters. The most expensive was Boeing with six Apaches followed by Airbus and Bell. While Russia could have been a sure winner, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) of 2017 was the compelling reason which prevented the Philippines from dealing financial matters with Russia in US dollars so the PAF TWG selected the next best thing which is the T-129 helicopter that is smaller and lighter than Russia’s Mi-28 or the USA’s AH-64 Apache helicopter. TWG decision to secure the T-129 as the PAF attack helicopter was made prior to the US Department of Defense prohibition against export of the T-129 powerplants to other countries outside Turkey. Discussions on the possible acquisition of AH-1W SUPER COBRA Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, together with parts, training and logistical support instead of the AH-1Z came into being only in September 18 in Pentagon when these were raised between US Secretary of Defense James Mattis and National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana meeting at Washington among other defense related acquisitions and concerns.  The amount which covers about 8 new Bell AH-1W Attack Helicopters together with associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support will be supplemented by possible FMS equivalent to additional two to four frames according to DND source. The Philippines will also have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters and its T700-GE-401 engines into its armed forces as these are all made in the USA. |
TAI reps re:T-129 have officially denied the blocking of the sale.
ReplyDeletehttps://defence.pk/pdf/threads/t129-deliveries-to-pakistan-are-on-schedule-and-their-is-no-blockade-from-us-tai.589904/
With all due respect, let's try to pry into the issue further before posting in finality that the engines are indeed blocked. An official statement from TAI will be the true confirmation. As long as they do not say anything, we cannot as well.
It is already confirmed by TAI themselves. Information is valid as of 7 December. The order is confirmed but it wont be powered by 1kw LHTEC CTS800-4A turboshaft engines which is the same variant chosen by TWG. Turkey and Pakistan have now agreed to acquire a replacement variant for the engines, most likely the 750w Rolls-Royce Gem 2-1004D of the A129 Mangusta.
ReplyDeleteHave you ask India?
ReplyDeleteTAI denied that they have been refused an export license, but they did say that the process is still "ongoing". I am posting the article and link below:
ReplyDelete*************************
Turkish Defense Firm seeks OK for exporting ATAK Helicopters
DAILY SABAH
ISTANBUL
Published
December 4, 2018
Defense giant Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) applied for a license to export 30 of the T129 Advanced Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance (ATAK) helicopters to Pakistan, and the firm expects to receive the license in a short while, TAI's Corporate Marketing and Communications Head Tamer Özmen said.
He stressed that the rumors regarding the delayed delivery to Pakistan due to the export license issue are not true and that the program is continuing as it is.
Touching on the ATAK helicopter project during a presentation at an event in Ankara, Özmen said the production of ATAK, the most efficient attack helicopter of its class, is successfully progressing, saying that the helicopters are successfully operating within the scope of Land Forces Command and Gendarmerie General Command.
A contract was signed between TAI and Pakistan's Ministry of Defense Production to export 30 ATAK helicopters in July. In addition to the aforementioned sales agreement, TAI has assumed extensive responsibility in terms of logistics, spare parts, training and ammunition.
Meanwhile, the contract inked between the two countries marks the biggest defense industry export realized in the history of the Republic of Turkey.
The T129 ATAK helicopter is a new generation, tandem, two-seat, twin-engine helicopter specifically designed for attack and reconnaissance.
Developed in connection with the combat-proven AgustaWestland A129CBT, the new aircraft incorporates a new system philosophy with a new engine, new avionics, sight systems and weapons, modified airframe, an updated drive train and a new tail rotor. The power unit includes Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC) CTS800-4A developed by Rolls-Royce and Honeywell.
Link: https://www.dailysabah.com/defense/2018/12/05/turkish-defense-firm-seeks-ok-for-exporting-atak-helicopters
True, as TAI authority is still languishing at US DOD since July, an uncommon delay for a NATO ally, which usually takes weeks before being approved. A month delay already raises eyebrow. Its been 6 months since it was submitted by Honeywell and none has gone out yet, so a writing could already be on the wall as there is no other reason why turkey and Pakistan should negotiate for engine replacements.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, a Philippine delegation went there in September and was told about some consequences of its procurement decisions which defsec spilled.
Some quarters had been bad mouthing the Russian Mil-24/35 offer when it was the best there was for the money. Some say costly maintenance and expensive operation. But so does its comparative equivalents. At 12t MTOW as compared to 6t MTOW that is money well spent. No brainer at all. It's like comparing DO328 to Q400s. Surely, the latter has more expensive maintenance than the former. No rocket science really.
Another trick was interoperability which makes nonsense at all because they are for internal security operations. Plain common sense will tell you that. Another issue was weapon systems which really is a non-issue. Otherwise our military should not be using RPG at all. But they are. Again, for internal security. Figure why there is no problem with Thailand or Indonesia?
So what was the real drawback? CAATSA. We cannot handle the Ruble just yet because as of late we paid Russia US dollars and that affects our banking system if we pursue further.
What did the US put on the table? This is what defsec had to say:
“They offered. We didn’t ask. We told them ‘we will consider, we will think more because this is very expensive. Expensive to buy, expensive to maintain”
Pot Sweetener is what you hear in the news lately. Apparently, the Philippine government accepted the US offer with the sweetener on it. The CUH already passed. Two more are to be decided early next year. What's on the third, that we have to see.
And the Russian media supported the view on this post
DeletePhilippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced that the country has decided to buy 16 Black Hawk helicopters from the US over the cheaper Russian Mi-171s, citing the threat of falling under US sanctions under CAATSA.
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201812071070494524-phillipines-russian-helicopters/
As to the T129, MOU is not a contract to acquire but a contract to consider. That's what it says. Big difference. Note, it is the DND that acquires materials and not the PAF.
We say, T129 is not cast in stone just yet, regardless of the PAF announcement. We therefore maintain this story
Just informing you, this Caleb Velasquez of Update Philippines has been copying your entire articles and not crediting you for it, stealing some of your page views to theirs. I will be highlighting this guy and that website soon on my page also.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.update.ph/2018/12/ah-1w-attack-chopper/25684
Imitation is the best form of flattery. Its either you feel upset because of that, or you could see it as proof that you did scoop something notable that get you noticed, regardless of the fact that the imitator stole it because they have none. We kinda view it on the bright side. Max Montero would have that similar complaint because he got plenty of those while we only got few and then our imitator sold it as their own. As you have noticed we don't put ads on our site to keep our information pristine and pure. At least you know where the original source is. That's good enough for us. As for Caleb, shame on him if he still has that and damn if he doesn't.
DeleteI see. Well I got your message loud and clear, TECPA.
Delete