Trinidad & Tobago buys gunship...?
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Trinidad & Tobago buys gunship...?
Presumably for when one needs to clear a path through the tourists to the bar... 
Aside from the fact that the Trinidadians seem to be basing their gunship cost expectations on the British Army's Apache AH1 (
), anyone have any idea what this is about ? Has the local Police Commissioner bought himself a cheap ex-IDF JetRanger or MD500, or is the Caribbean Carnival Capital really joining the Apache/Cobra club ?? 
I/C
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Army officer welcomes helicopter
Trinidad & Tobago Express Jan 3
Cabinet has reportedly approved the purchase of a helicopter gunship for this country from Israel.
But what exactly is a helicopter gunship and what are its uses? A helicopter gunship is a military aircraft armed for attacking targets on the ground, using automatic cannon and machine-gun fire, rockets, and precision guided missiles. It is used in ground troop support and to provide fire cover. Some of these attack helicopters also have the capability of carrying air to air missiles.
The helicopter gunship has two main roles, first is to provide direct and accurate close air support for ground troops, its second role is to destroy enemy armour behind enemy lines, Internet information suggests. A well placed military source told the Express that gunships are used for military purposes and have not been deployed in police operations involving civilians.
Cabinet has approved the purchase of one helicopter gunship from Israel, a close ally of this country, providing the country with military hardware in the past. The source suggested that any helicopter coming from Israel would be a used gunship and not a new one.
A new helicopter gunship costs more than $350m.
Asked about the practical use of a gunship, the senior army officer said that "any piece of equipment is always welcomed." But he added that "at this time a gunship might not be necessary as that money could be re-deployed to other areas of necessity."
Aside from the fact that the Trinidadians seem to be basing their gunship cost expectations on the British Army's Apache AH1 (), anyone have any idea what this is about ? Has the local Police Commissioner bought himself a cheap ex-IDF JetRanger or MD500, or is the Caribbean Carnival Capital really joining the Apache/Cobra club ?? I/C
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Army officer welcomes helicopter
Trinidad & Tobago Express Jan 3
Cabinet has reportedly approved the purchase of a helicopter gunship for this country from Israel.
But what exactly is a helicopter gunship and what are its uses? A helicopter gunship is a military aircraft armed for attacking targets on the ground, using automatic cannon and machine-gun fire, rockets, and precision guided missiles. It is used in ground troop support and to provide fire cover. Some of these attack helicopters also have the capability of carrying air to air missiles.
The helicopter gunship has two main roles, first is to provide direct and accurate close air support for ground troops, its second role is to destroy enemy armour behind enemy lines, Internet information suggests. A well placed military source told the Express that gunships are used for military purposes and have not been deployed in police operations involving civilians.
Cabinet has approved the purchase of one helicopter gunship from Israel, a close ally of this country, providing the country with military hardware in the past. The source suggested that any helicopter coming from Israel would be a used gunship and not a new one.
A new helicopter gunship costs more than $350m.
Asked about the practical use of a gunship, the senior army officer said that "any piece of equipment is always welcomed." But he added that "at this time a gunship might not be necessary as that money could be re-deployed to other areas of necessity."
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Re: Trinidad & Tobago buys gunship...?
One gunship irrespective of type is not a capability, but a liability – think training, airworthiness, ranges (with appropriate templates), spares, standardisation etc etc.
I haven’t bothered doing a google search regarding the T & T armed forces albat, but I am guessing it is pretty small. My guess would be they will be looking for an armed recce aircraft for border security??? As stated, perhaps a Bell 206/207 or OH6 type of aircraft.
Clearly you don't $350M for this type of aircraft.
I haven’t bothered doing a google search regarding the T & T armed forces albat, but I am guessing it is pretty small. My guess would be they will be looking for an armed recce aircraft for border security??? As stated, perhaps a Bell 206/207 or OH6 type of aircraft.
Clearly you don't $350M for this type of aircraft.
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Re: Trinidad & Tobago buys gunship...?
The $350m quoted is Trinidad & Tobago Dollars. Approx 11 to the GBP and 6.2 to the USD.
Thus GBP32m or USD56m.
Still a lot whichever way you look at it.
Thus GBP32m or USD56m.
Still a lot whichever way you look at it.
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Re: Trinidad & Tobago buys gunship...?
Israel has a bunch of old Cobras. They can probably get one and some spares for a couple Mil U.S.
What they will use them for is beyond me, maybe they will invade Aruba.....
What they will use them for is beyond me, maybe they will invade Aruba.....
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Re: Trinidad & Tobago buys gunship...?
Good Day:
This has been a rumor down here for about two years. The Coast Guard has an S-76 and a Twin Squirral. They bought a blimp about 6 months ago. Not working very well, so they now have another one. Looking for crews and support, but that should be on a different thread. No idea which one.
As a former Snake pilot, WWNam, I have talked to many of the local young pilots about some of the situations they may encounter.
They listen about as well as we did at that age.
Will the Gunships actually show up?
Lots of oil money and shipments coming through here from Columbia.
Regards,
Chas A
This has been a rumor down here for about two years. The Coast Guard has an S-76 and a Twin Squirral. They bought a blimp about 6 months ago. Not working very well, so they now have another one. Looking for crews and support, but that should be on a different thread. No idea which one.
As a former Snake pilot, WWNam, I have talked to many of the local young pilots about some of the situations they may encounter.
They listen about as well as we did at that age.
Will the Gunships actually show up?
Lots of oil money and shipments coming through here from Columbia.
Regards,
Chas A
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Re: Trinidad & Tobago buys gunship...?
Chas - thanks for the local insight, much appreciated.
MD600 driver - intriguing idea, but I'm not sure the IAF museum would want to give up its war trophy !
Jed A1 - my bad, thanks for the FX correction.
I/C
MD600 driver - intriguing idea, but I'm not sure the IAF museum would want to give up its war trophy !
Jed A1 - my bad, thanks for the FX correction.
I/C
