Was about twice the cost of the Tiger, and the price didn't include the Longbow radar!
Fair enough. I seem to recall at the final play-off, 16 Apache being the numbers to be procured. So 16 Apaches is double the program cost of the Tiger.
As a taxpayer you have to ask a few questions. Firstly, 16 Apaches would have been in-service and with the ability to have deployed to Afganistan with good support in place.
Secondly, all the banging on about a network hardened army, how does this figure with a European helicopter. Wouldn't have Apache been already integrated in the US and a less high risk project?
Seems ludicrous that the RAAF doesn't have the ability to deploy fast jets in a close air support role ( Afgan' ) and the army bought a troublesome, un-proven battlefield helicopter. It seems structurally out of balance.
I hear the Singaporians bought the Apache. Got a good deal on the radar and the Israelis are involved in consultancy on training and deployment.