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Air Corp to get six new helicopters
So it's not the blackhawk. Surprise surprise.
News just out.
News just out.
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There ya go.
PRESS RELEASE
O’DEA GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR ACQUISITION OF NEW HELICOPTERS FOR AIR CORPS
The Minister for Defence, Mr. Willie O’Dea, has today authorised his Department to open negotiations for the acquisition of six new helicopters for the Irish Air Corps.
Two Light Utility EC 135 helicopters will be acquired from Eurocopter, France/ Germany and will be used mainly for pilot training.
Four Utility AB 139 Helicopters will be acquired from the Bell Agusta Aerospace Company, Italy and will be operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role.
The Minister has directed that contract negotiations be completed with both companies as a matter of urgency and he expects contracts to be in place by mid-December 2004.
Minister O’Dea said that the helicopters will provide a very significant boost to the Army and Air Corps. The purchase of the helicopters is another positive indication of the Government’s commitment to ensure that all branches of the Defence Forces are fully equipped to carry out their day-to-day roles.www.twitter.com/mickthehack
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While the AB139 is not the Blackhawk, the military version looks good on paper, able to carry 15 troops, may be armed and can carry a RO105, better than the EC145 and anything we already have?
IASComment
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It'll do...anything but the EC145
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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The question is when...I assume the standard EC135 we want(with no specialist non factory kit,like the garda chopper) should be delivered pretty quickly(Are they manufactured in Germany?),but the Agusta could take a while,so is there a chance of an Interim example? Possibly the standard Civilian model?
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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I wonder how long it will be before Eurocopter sues??
"We will hold out until our last bullet is spent. Could do with some whiskey"
Radio transmission, siege of Jadotville DR Congo. September 1961.
Illegitimi non carborundumComment
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Originally posted by TurkeyI wonder how long it will be before Eurocopter sues??
They probably got the EC135 deal to avoid that situation...
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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I was a bit disapointed in the beginning tbh but looks like the best heli won in the end !!
flying to an air farce base near you !
I wonder what color they will paint them, probably white for all the VIP duties they will be flat out for
Last edited by andy; 27 November 2004, 06:38.Comment
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I'd go with the same grey as the Pilatus...
Best camoflage for our skies/terrain...dull grey....
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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Apologies for size
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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Is this true
Where is this Press release from? Cant find it anywhere else online?Comment
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The news came out after www.defence.ie usually posts its releases(late friday evening),but as Dublinmick works for the press,I imagine he gets press releases before the rest of us mere mortals.
Give it time..
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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The AB-139 looks ok, EC-135 seems small though. I guess I've just answered my own question as to why it was chosen then.
"Everyone's for a free Tibet, but no one's for freeing Tibet." -Mark Steyn. What an IMO-centric quote, eh?
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It(the EC135)is ideal for the job its intended to do,namely
a.Initial Pilot training
b.Instructor training
c.Instrument Flight training
d.Pilot NVG qualification and development training
e.Helicopter aircrew continuity training
f.Winching and inland SAR training.
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.Comment
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