Air Corp to get six new helicopters

[hptmurphy]

he's got to be from Cobh

As regarding Downsizing...we never upsized in the first place!

[Goldie fish]

welcome back mav.

[Stinger]

Isn't that the Japanses Self Defence Air Force?

[Truck Driver]

The Air Corps are not the only ones with problems.....

RAF Downsizing....

[FMolloy]

Now now lads, remember the rules.

[futurepilot]

^some guy who pops up now to share his vast knowledge of military aviation and make constructive posts.

[Come-quickly]

Er who are you?

[mavman]

now are ye guys staring to understand how much these things cost

[Goldie fish]

Well in the case of the AB139,the price does include training of all initial pilots and techies,as well as something like a 20 year warranty..

[gaff85]

Since when is there VAT on Imports?

[Roger McGee]

Why does the army have to pay tax???

[futurepilot]

The price includes VAT of 21% and knowing this government they`ve probably slapped the helis with VRT.

[Roger McGee]

€12.1m each? Is that cheap?

Was just thinking that it seems a bit steep, is there some support pakage or whats going on that they are so expensive.
6.4m for a 135?

[Goldie fish]

€12.1m each? Is that cheap?

[sledger]

Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea):

Four utility AB139 helicopters are being acquired from the Bell Agusta Aerospace Company at a cost of €48.4 million, inclusive of VAT. The four helicopters will be built at the Agusta facility near Milan, Italy. Two AB139s will be delivered in 2006 and the other two will be delivered in 2007.

The four AB139 helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role. Primary taskings for the utility helicopter will include training and operations with special forces, security and aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. They will also be used to perform air ambulance, inland search and rescue, aid to the civil community and VIP transport tasks.

Two light utility EC135 helicopters are being acquired from Eurocopter S.A.S. at a cost of €12.8 million, inclusive of VAT. The two helicopters will be built at Eurocopter’s facility in Donauworth, Germany. Both EC135s are scheduled to be delivered in the latter part of this year.

The two light utility helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps primarily in the military pilot and aircrew training role. Primary taskings for the helicopters will include pilot training, instructor training and instrument flight training.