Nato Turns To ExSoviet Bloc To Help Solve Its Shortage Of Helicopters (from The Herald )

[Acky] Courtesy of Ian Bruce, Defence Correspondent (The Herald)

Looks like Ian got some words from this very site!:}

I have it on good authority the 30 extra helicopters are undergoing final testing as we speak, a leaked photograph shows the latest disruptive paint scheme being put through it's paces..... :p

Labour are particularly keen on it having shown significant fuel cost savings and the ability to operate at ultra low level.... Standard fireworks have been contracted to provide the Roman Candle mk1 flare dispenser at a significant cost saving to the public purse strings over the current items in service. ;)

http://www.lolhome.com/img_big/funny...1354098246.jpg

Perhaps they'll also be after the Sycamore which used to be in a hangar at RobinDoncasterFinningleyHood International Chavport back in RAF days?

Is this leaked story not linked to the 'Wessex HC2 wanted' thread?:ok:

Sadly as a member of the UK's modern fighting force this is all very sad as well as embarrassing. Major cuts to MoD spending are to be made over the next ten years and we are now reliant on the newest members of NATO to ferry our troops about in what will probably be older and less well equipped aircraft than our own.

Yes it can dramatically reduce IED attacks but can those aircraft cope with Hostile Missile and Ground fire engagements? Will the crews of those aircraft have the same mindset as ours when it comes to going that extra mile? What will serviceability be like? How many will actually be fit for purpose? How long will it take to get them CTR for Afghanistan and who is going to get them to that stage. Have those countries any idea of how we operate. Do we have commonality with radio equipment? The list goes on and on.

I am utterly dismayed by the whole thing.

Lets negotiate a ceasefire with the taliban. Go into the drugs business getting good gear for our domestic markets ( NHS and local chavs).Undercut the columbians and obtain new revenue streams to fund the government, thus defeating the credit crunch and lowering taxes.Then buy wads of good quality kit.

Is that as mad as it sounds?

In addition to those planned to be converted under the NATO trust fund, some of the others include the RAF's new Merlin HC3As (deployment next year) and those eight Chinooks (not likely to be sent until 2010), France has just announced in the last few days that it will send some more helicopters as it beefs up its forces following the death of ten of its troops last month. Sweden was going to deploy Super Pumas that were supposed to go out to northern Afghanistan about now, but I don't know if anything else came of it. Canada has or is due to deploy six extra Chinooks that it recently bought second hand from the US. These won't be operational until early next year. It is also going to lease six Mi-8 helicopters for re-supply tasks.

I wonder if anyone in the ivory tower has been eyeing up that collection of helicopters near Weston-super-mare?;)

Weston Super Mare? Oh no, not the WG30s......!!

Rather have the "jingly cab" from Nutloose!

WG30, I will be glad of any aircraft as long as it doesn't come from the Wastelands!!!:bored:

"WG30, I will be glad of any aircraft as long as it doesn't come from the Wastelands!!!"

Which is exactly what the Indians now say....

Which is exactly what the Indians now say....
 

AgustaWestland Wins India VIP Helo Battle
And they have signed up for a Sea King update, not sure where you get your info from?:confused:

Perhaps Wasteland is looking Elsewhere?
 

Not sure Wasteland is looking at NATO's shortage. In the slipstream of the initial flight over ‘Vile last month of the 1st production model of the Marine One VH-71 taxi for the White House, (Merlin y’all), AgustaWestland is exhibiting an AW101 cabin mockup at the 61st NBAA Convention in Orlando today.

Their blurb states:
If built, that's a standard almost comfortable enough for fast jet pilot R&R.