AW101 possible acquisition by Pakistan Navy - WDF Exclusive

[Signalian]

AW-101 comes close to Mi-17 in some specs. This makes it a medium lift helicopter for the Navy just like Mi-17 is for the Army, however it has three engines.

 

[Khafee]

AW-101 comes close to Mi-17 in some specs. This makes it a medium lift helicopter for the Navy just like Mi-17 is for the Army, however it has three engines.

I prefer the S-92 super hawk

H-92 Superhawk Multi-Mission Helicopter - Airforce Technology

The H-92 Superhawk multi-mission helicopter is the military version of the S-92 medium-sized helicopter and is a successor to the…

www.airforce-technology.com

 

[MystryMan]

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How do you rate this chopper sir? any guess about fly away cost of a single unit?

 

[MystryMan]

IIRC AW-101 VIP order was canceled by India due to bribery allegations.

 

[Fafnir]

I've flown on Mi-17s of the Afghan Air Force while in Afghanistan, S-92s of the Bristow Group's SAR training unit, the NH90 of the RNoAF, EH-101 of the Danish Air Force and S-61 of the RNoAF, alongside a few other types. The S-92 is a nice airframe, but be-fraught with program delays and has limited utility outside of SAR and transport operations. The CH-148 variant would be more appropriate, considering it's a military variant with an ASW role as well.

The EH101 SAR and tactical transport helicopter of the Danish Air Force is a beauty, but costly. Denmark was struggling to afford the type, and it's a fairly wealthy nation.

The Mi-17 is big, too big for landing on ships, same as the AW101, and largely doesn't have a naval role unlike the other helicopters I was on. Rugged, cost effective and easy to maintain. Just limited utility in the naval role considering its size.

For the naval role the Russian Ka-27 series would be more appropriate.

 

[Khafee]

How do you rate this chopper sir? any guess about fly away cost of a single unit?

It's a good helo, but in terms of reliability the S-92 is my preference.

Back in 2015 "someone" was looking at buying half a dozen. The cost at the time, per bird in a utility config was Euro21m. Then recently Poland bought for 4 for their navy at $107m including logistics and training.

Pakistan's AW139 cost approx US$19.25m, IF I remember correctly.

Here is an e.g. of an Mi-14 used by the Polish Navy that will be replaced by the AW-101

 

[MystryMan]

I prefer the S-92 super hawk

H-92 Superhawk Multi-Mission Helicopter - Airforce Technology

The H-92 Superhawk multi-mission helicopter is the military version of the S-92 medium-sized helicopter and is a successor to the…

www.airforce-technology.com

Since we are in the process of getting TPS-77MRR and F-16V from LM, is there any possibility of getting MH-60 Seahawk also?

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

Any news on this?

 

[War Historian]

Sir, You are entitled to your opinion.

Btw the EFT was also discussed in this meeting:
Italian Secretary General of Defence visits Air HQ

Off the topic. My apology..
If Pakistan goes for the used Italian, Spanish and Austrian used EFT and upgrade them with the help of Italian and Spanish aero industries.
It will give PAF a handsome number of lethal jets. And also no sanction can disturb in future because KSA, Kuwait ,Qatar, Oman will operate these jets , so spares would not be a problem in case of war.
Later Pakistan can also order new tranche 3b in future in small batches like the Mirages.
If these purchases could be made we can quickly retired legacy Mirages. Which are now known as our pilot killer. Mirage Rebuild Factory can be converted to EFT overhaul and upgrade facility. Where we can offer our maintenance services to our Gulf friends. It will be a win win situation for Pakistan. And also for the jet supplying countries. Because they dont have any buyer from last many years for these used jets. We have to give them this message if we leave this deal then your jets will end their life without any more flights.

 

[Khafee]

Off the topic. My apology..
If Pakistan goes for the used Italian, Spanish and Austrian used EFT and upgrade them with the help of Italian and Spanish aero industries.
It will give PAF a handsome number of lethal jets. And also no sanction can disturb in future because KSA, Kuwait ,Qatar, Oman will operate these jets , so spares would not be a problem in case of war.
Later Pakistan can also order new tranche 3b in future in small batches like the Mirages.
If these purchases could be made we can quickly retired legacy Mirages. Which are now known as our pilot killer. Mirage Rebuild Factory can be converted to EFT overhaul and upgrade facility. Where we can offer our maintenance services to our Gulf friends. It will be a win win situation for Pakistan. And also for the jet supplying countries. Because they dont have any buyer from last many years for these used jets. We have to give them this message if we leave this deal then your jets will end their life without any more flights.

The used EFT's were T1, but the idea was to upgrade them to T3b, and then induct them. The deal was used + new. Approx 36 all in.

 

[Zulu]

Was that possible to upgrade T1 to T3 ??i was under impression that's was only possible to T2 one of reason many want to wash their hands from T1.That deal is completely dead now so consider it just technical curiosity .Only hope left we see some good and new naval halos soon if not AW101

The used EFT's were T1, but the idea was to upgrade them to T3b, and then induct them. The deal was used + new. Approx 36 all in.

 

[War Historian]

The used EFT's were T1, but the idea was to upgrade them to T3b, and then induct them. The deal was used + new. Approx 36 all in.

Sir it add a great fire power to our air force, and it will be definite answer to indian rafale jets even better than french jets. We can induct these used jets in a short period and our pilots will got the expertise on these jets before indian get their hand on french rafale jets Because in next few years when india was getting its last jets we almost use too on these used EFT.thanks

 

[Khafee]

Was that possible to upgrade T1 to T3 ??

Absolutely! That is why used ones were being explored.

 

[Zulu]

Thanx .Any possibility still left of resurrection of AW101 deal ?

Absolutely! That is why used ones were being explored.

 

[War Historian]

Sir t

Absolutely! That is why used ones were being explored.

Then why PAF not bought these EFT, when it was available in different air forces on affordable price. PAF always run after the F16. I know F16 is good jet. But the EFT is a beast, the EFT is only behind the Fifth gen jets. If i am not wrong. Thanks