Originally Posted by
Northernstar
Not to go off on a total tangent but re Puma Mk2 cost as a comparison when you consider mid life upgrades. Wasn’t it sold as an upgrade securing U.K. jobs, yet initially at least the work was conducted in Romania? Also at £20 million per airframe, at least what has been quoted, you could have bought the new H215 as the Spanish Air Force have done for SAR. More capability and longevity than any MLU.
Also given the RAF previously reverse engineered a South African Oryx from Makila back to Turmo power yet have now done the opposite why didn’t they also upgrade the sponsons to the larger type given more grunt? Seems a waste and a half. Where has that £20m gone apart from avionics and engines?
How long before the 'Grey Wolf' becomes known as the 'Plastic Pig' too!?
As for the RAF/MOD's ex SAAF/SDF aquisitions, they were just redundant (french built) Turmo engined SA330's, not the, still currently in service,Makila engined Oryx 'licence' version.
The RAF HC.2 does seem to have been excessively expensive though.