Bill for six Air Corps helicopters expected to top €50m

[andy]

The Irish Independent
17th September 2004
Tom Brady
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=11434

AN order worth more than €50m for six new helicopters is to be placed before the end of the year, Defence Minister Michael Smith confirmed yesterday.

Three of the world's top manufacturers are competing for the lucrative contract. Four utility helicopters, capable of being armed with general purpose machineguns and carrying eight soldiers each, will be used by several Army units, including the Ranger Wing.

The initial order also includes two light utility helicopters, which will be used mainly for training but all six will be available for VIP transport, air ambulance duties and aid to the public.

Addressing three young Air Corps pilots who received their commissions at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co Dublin, yesterday, Mr Smith said this had already been a memorable year for the Air Corps.

The new Learjet came into service in January and the first Pilatus trainer craft arrived in April.

The three new pilots, Emmet Farrelly, John McCarthy and Oisin McGrath, were members of the 23rd cadet class, the final Air Corps group to have trained on the single-engined Marchetti craft.

New classes will be trained on the Pilatus PC 9M turbo prop craft, eight of which were delivered this year at a cost of €60m.

[hptmurphy]

How can the bill be quoted when we haven't got the damn helos yet!

[Goldie fish]

A bit like the Road improvments in cork that have been paid for even though no work was done...

It has to be Eurocopter so :D

I like the way he says ALL six will be available for VIP transport...

I would love to know how the GASU managed to pull the stroke that they NEVER carry VIPs.(Except me,once)

[andy]

talk about re cycling news ! This is all old hat :(

[Goldie fish]

Its another "aren't I great" speech from the soon to be ex minister.

[mutter nutter (again)]

Originally posted by Goldie fish
A bit like the Road improvments in cork that have been paid for even though no work was done...

It has to be Eurocopter so :D

I like the way he says ALL six will be available for VIP transport...

I would love to know how the GASU managed to pull the stroke that they NEVER carry VIPs.(Except me,once)

Damn, you've depressed the hell out of me now GF:( :(

[faughanballagh]

Though I have no military or political experience and am only 17 years old, I honestly think I could do a better job in handling the Air Corps....

[mutter nutter (again)]

From Irish Independent, Business News section, 16th September 2004

Sikorsky Pitch for chopper contract

Don Lavery


AMERICAN helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky has told the (Irish) government that it can deliver new Blackhawk helicopters to Ireland within a year of a contract worth more than 50 Million euros being signed.

The company, which has supplied more than 3,000 of the legendary helicopter to 26 countries, has told the Department of Defence that it can deliver four of it's S-70A Blackhawk model to the Irish Air Corps within a short timeframe.

The Department wants four armed utility helicopters able to carry eight soldiers, with an option on two more. It also wants two light utility helicopters mainly for training, and Sikorsky is offering it's S-76 (H-76?) model for this role.

Also in this competition is Agusta Westland with it's successful A109 and new AB139, and Eurocopter with the EC 135 and EC 145.

But the four utility helicopters will be primarily tasked with transporting special forces, the Army's Ranger Wing, and Sikorsky is emphasising the Blackhawk's use worldwide in this role.

The helicopter is used by America's special forces, including US Army Rangers, Green Berets and SEALs; while the Australian SAS also use it.

Ireland's Rangers have used the Blackhawk while operating with the Australian and New Zealand SAS in East Timor.But the highly paid force have no suitable helicopters available to transport their soldiers to an incident within Ireland.

Irish Rangers on operations in Liberia have had to borrow Ukrainian Army helicopters to insert their patrols and armed jeeps deep into the bush.

Incredibly, the 2000 Defence White Paper dismissed the need to move large numbers of troops by air within Ireland, citing the small size of the Country and the "greatly improved roads infrastructure".

Meanwhile the embassies of the various countries competing for the order are gearing up for a lobbying campign for the different companies.

If Sikorsky wins the deal, the sale may have to be approved by the US Congress

[Lordinajamjar]

xxxxx

[Goldie fish]

Originally posted by mutter nutter (again)
From Irish Independent, Business News section, 16th September 2004

Sikorsky Pitch for chopper contract

Don Lavery



Meanwhile the embassies of the various countries competing for the order are gearing up for a lobbying campign for the different companies.

If Sikorsky wins the deal, the sale may have to be approved by the US Congress

Was it not the lobbying of the former US ambassador during the MLH tender process that caused all the trouble back then? He fell on his diplomatic sword soon after.

I believe all intended military sales are approved by congress whether the tender is accepted or not.

Under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), Congress must be notified of U.S. Government intention to sell to a foreign entity, if the items to be sold are:

Defense articles or services valued at $50 million or more;
Design and construction services valued at $200 million or more;
Major defense equipment valued at $14 million or more. ["Major defense equipment" means any item on the United States Munitions List with a research and development cost of at least $50 million or a total production cost of at least $200 million.]

The notification must include a description of the equipment, its value, destination, and the U.S. agency making the offer to sell. Once Congress receives the notification, it has 15 days for sales to a NATO country or major ally, and 30 days for all other countries to block a sale.