Nigerian Bell AH-1Z
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,536
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From: The Alps
Nigerian Bell AH-1Z
Hmmm Vipers for 🇳🇬🤔🤔
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/maj...s-acquisitions
https://www.govconwire.com/2022/04/u...l-for-nigeria/
2 decades ago they were looking for AH capability and at the time, our company was negotiating to maintain their Puma fleet. Anyhow as part of negotiation, offered to an analysis of the AH marketplace at the time
cheers
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/maj...s-acquisitions
https://www.govconwire.com/2022/04/u...l-for-nigeria/
2 decades ago they were looking for AH capability and at the time, our company was negotiating to maintain their Puma fleet. Anyhow as part of negotiation, offered to an analysis of the AH marketplace at the time
cheers
Last edited by chopper2004; 18th April 2022 at 19:15.
Joined: Aug 2009
Aviation Qualifications: Military
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From: Texas
While I sincerely hope that this one goes through, the language at both links is tentative, indicating that a "potential sale" has been given the political green light.
In my brain, the lack of offsets means that either an outright gift, or the old "loan guarantee" will be part of the funding scheme to help Nigeria acquire these fine helicopters.
Here's hoping.
The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, Fort Worth, TX; and General Electric Company, Lynn, MA. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale.
Here's hoping.
Nigerian In Law
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,199
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From: The stool at the end of the bar
Based on past performance they won't stay serviceable for very long and once the bills start piling up and spares stop arriving it'll be cannibalisation until the entire fleet are grounded.
Cynical I know, but they haven't exactly inspired faith over the years.
NEO
Cynical I know, but they haven't exactly inspired faith over the years.
NEO
Joined: Oct 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 7,373
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From: Den Haag
Based on past performance they won't stay serviceable for very long and once the bills start piling up and spares stop arriving it'll be cannibalisation until the entire fleet are grounded.
Cynical I know, but they haven't exactly inspired faith over the years.
NEO
Cynical I know, but they haven't exactly inspired faith over the years.
NEO
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 0
Very unlikely that the NAF will buy direct from Bell-Textron because B-T will not be able to pay the obligatory kick-backs to senior NAF officers, due to US anti-corruption laws. If something does go ahead, it will be at a vastly inflated price via an Israeli shell company who will not balk at paying the kickbacks.
Also, who will do the maintenance? I can’t see US contractors queueing up to work in Enugu, Kaduna, Makurdi or wherever they are going to keep them. Most of the SA helicopter maintenance companies who have some tolerance for Nigeria have had their fingers badly burnt by Nigerian Police and AF not paying the bills and confiscating all their tools - so I doubt they will go back in a hurry either.
Also, who will do the maintenance? I can’t see US contractors queueing up to work in Enugu, Kaduna, Makurdi or wherever they are going to keep them. Most of the SA helicopter maintenance companies who have some tolerance for Nigeria have had their fingers badly burnt by Nigerian Police and AF not paying the bills and confiscating all their tools - so I doubt they will go back in a hurry either.
