Which new helicopter should Romania select?

How about EC 135 - more precise, about EC 635, military version of 135? Romania may produce this type of helicopter for local needs, maybe for export, but.... How about this excelent helicopter to take the place of our old IAR 316 / Allouette? I think is no need do write a comparation of this two helicopters, difference is so large. And, maybe at Brasov, may develop in Airfox style - an helicopter for antitank mission, and help from above, enough for our needs.
Or just change IAR 316 with EC 635! Had enough capability, its cheap enough, it is NEW!

??????

Iama

After that... there is something new about bulgarian helicopter things:

"Bulgaria Selects Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin Bid for Helicopter Upgrade Program

HAIFA, Israel --- Elbit Systems Ltd. reported that the Minister of Defense of Bulgaria announced today at a press conference the selection of the team led by Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin as the preferred bidder for the helicopter upgrade program in Bulgaria.

The program includes upgrading 12 MI-24 combat helicopters and 6 MI-17 transport helicopters to comply with NATO standards.

Elbit Systems will be the prime contractor for the project. The project's amount is expected to be material to Elbit Systems.

The project is subject to completion of negotiations and the signing of a contract with the Government of Bulgaria.

Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the world, in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, advanced electro-optic and space technologies. The company focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and developing new technologies for defense and homeland security applications. "

Source: ELBIT Systems Ltd.

Iama

I voted for the NH-90, it is a outstanding helicopter design. Romania could use not to modernize its own AF;if it can procure a license it will be able to export them!!...

I see on TV something about some romanian helicopters - SOCAT - who were send in .... were in world map? What type of mission?

Iama

4 helicopters IAR 330 SOCAT with 40 people on board - flying and technical crews - went yesterday to Banja Luka (in Bosnia) taking part in "Althea" (EU peace -keeping mission). This mission continues the activity of SFOR troops. Apart from these helicopters Romania has sent few years back 109 troops in Bosnia.

Check "Adevarul" on-line (in Romanian):
http://www.adevarulonline.ro/arhiva/2005/I...rie/990/111623/

This post has been edited by Dani on January 05, 2005 11:56 am

4 helicopters IAR 330 SOCAT with 40 people on board - flying and technical crews - went yesterday to Banja Luka (in Bosnia) taking part in "Althea" (EU peace -keeping mission). This mission continues the activity of SFOR troops. Apart from these helicopters Romania has sent few years back 109 troops in Bosnia.

Check "Adevarul" on-line (in Romanian):
http://www.adevarulonline.ro/arhiva/2005/I...rie/990/111623/

Thanks Dani, and thanks for the link.

Iama

We will need a REAL Attack helicopter. Like Eurocopter Tigre, AH64, AH1Z ..etc. IAR330 is ok for our transport needs (just need to update all with new avionics and maybe new power engines).

Maqila II engines are to be a great up grade!

Iama

Tomcat1974,

I strongly agree with you that Romania needs a true helicopter gunship, the AH-64D Apache Longbow, AH-1RO Dracula and the Eurocopter Tiger would all be excellent selections.

Thank You

Public procurement: Commission Acts to Enforce EU law (excerpt)


Source: European Commission




" BRUSSELS --- The Commission has sent Italy a reasoned opinion on a decree issued by the Minister of the Interior on 11 July 2003 permitting the purchase of light helicopters for the Police and the National Fire Brigade without applying the tendering rules set out in Directive 93/36/EEC on public supply contracts.

The Commission considers that this decree constitutes an infringement of that Directive, since Italy has not demonstrated that one of the strict conditions for derogations, and in particular the one concerning contracts the execution of which must be accompanied by special security measures, is met in this case.

The Commission has already decided to bring Italy before the Court of Justice in two other cases also concerning the procedures applied by the Italian Government for the purchase of helicopters for civil use, the first being in connection with a Government Order authorising the Italian body responsible for the surveillance of woodland (Corpo forestale dello Stato) to purchase helicopters without competition.

The second case concerns the Italian Government’s practice of awarding contracts for the purchase of helicopters for its main public services directly to the company Agusta. "

Iama

Look at this... Congratulation Bulgaria! Romania, when?
Some days ago i posted news with Hungary and military aircrafts - Grippen -, now, another neighbor rise his military power with new things. I want to read about romanian contract for Tiger... , for Grippen ...


12 Cougars and 6 Panthers for the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense


Source: Eurocopter


" MARIGNANE, France --- On January 28, 2005, Mr. Svinarov, the Bulgarian Defense Minister and Mr. Luc Barrière, the Eurocopter Senior Vice-President for Sales & Marketing, signed a contract in Sofia for the supply of twelve AS 532 AL Cougar helicopters and six AS 565 MB Panther helicopters.

The deliveries of the 18 helicopters are scheduled on a 3 years period. The 3 first aircraft of the Cougar type will be delivered by end 2006.

This contract specifies the delivery of 12 Cougars to the Bulgarian Air Force . Eight of these aircraft will perform tactical transport missions and the four others will fly Combat SAR missions.

The six Panthers for the Bulgarian Navy will perform sea surveillance and search and rescue missions; along with anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface operations.

The acquisition of the Cougar helicopters is part of the restructuring initiated following Bulgaria's entry into NATO in March 2004. If necessary, the aircraft, which will be operated by the Air Force, may be sent to external theater of operations to assist NATO and UN missions.

The AS 532 Cougar is a twin-engine helicopter designed for tactical transport with a maximum take-off weight of 9,000 kg (9,350 kg with a sling load). The aircraft is powered by two Turboméca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines each developing 1,877 shp. In its AL version, the helicopter may be equipped with side- or pod-mounted guns and rocket launchers. 682 aircraft from the Super Puma/Cougar and EC 225/EC 725 family have already been sold to 90 customers in 48 countries.

The AS 565 MB Panther is a twin-engine helicopter with a maximum take-off weight of 4,300 kg, which offers exceptional performances. The aircraft is equipped with two Turboméca Arriel 2C turboshaft engines each developing 977 shp, governed by a FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control). The FADEC provides unbeatable advantages over competing helicopters in terms of increased performance and engine service life, and heightens safety by reducing crew workload, a particularly valued asset in combat zones.

835 Dauphin/Panther/EC 155s have been ordered by 164 customers in 59 countries.

Eurocopter is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global company specializing in the aerospace and defence sectors and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of EUR 30.1 billion, and employed a workforce of over 109,000. EADS includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus; Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer; and joint venture MBDA, the world's second largest missile company. EADS is also the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and is developing the A400M military transport aircraft. EADS is the lead industrial partner in the European Galileo programme for satellite-based navigation. "


Iama

Romania needs modern Helicopters for its Navy and Air Force. Perhaps NH-90 would be good selection for the AF and Navy. The EC-135 which is built in Romania should replace the old IAR-316's in Romanian service. They are cheap and excellent helicopters.

Thank You

Several years ago there was talk of buying 100 AH-64s for around 1 bn. $.
Why the hell was that dropped?
All I remember is a few dull newspaper guys philosophising that Romania should spend those money on something else, no need, why buy military hardware, nobody attacks Romania, bla, bla, bla...
Was there a military reason for not acquiring those or the military just bowed to the pressure created by those "instigators"?

Well, obviously somebody doesnt want a strong Romania:

http://www.aviationtoday.com/cgi/rw/show_m...defense1298.htm

http://www.aviationtoday.com/cgi/rw/show_m...e=0301civup.htm

www.saferworld.org.uk/publications/Beast%20Romania.pdf

Sorry Iamandi, somebody seems to not give a damn about Romania's armed forces...

By the way, what does IAR produce now? Crop spraying helicopters?
Probably thats the only thing "allowed".

From the same PDF file... I doubt Romania could not afford to pay for developing local defense industry + jobs + know how. I will refrain from saying anything else, I'll wait for other opinions...