Which new helicopter should Romania select?

The Romanian Air Force has plans aquire 12 medium lift helicopters and the Romanian Navy has a requirement for 3 ASV/ASW helicopters for use on its Type-22 frigates.The selection could fill both requirements, and will be produced or assembled in Romania.

The four designs that I have included have been mentioned in the Navy League site as the front runners for the navy selection.

If anyone thinks a that another helicopter should be included in this poll; please feel free post it and I try to add it to the poll.

Thank You.

This post has been edited by Stephen on October 13, 2004 05:58 am

In my oppinion NH 90 is the best choice.

http://www.nhindustries.com/page3.htm

The NH-90 would be an excellent choice for the Romania Air Force and Navy. Its two versions the TTH and NFH are perfectly suited to Romanian requirements.

The best helicopters for the new frigates will be the ones that can be built at Brasov. So probably Eurocopter. IIRC there is a naval version of the IAR 330 (the 330H).

No matter what design is selected, it will be assembled or built at IAR's factory in Brasov. The IAR-330 Puma was great design and has served Romania well, and has been successfully exported to several nations. It is vital for Romania aviation industry to get a new design, so that IAR can countine have success on the market both locally and for export. The NH 90 design can be aquired by IAR, because Eurocopter is a major partner in developing the NH 90.

Thank You.

This post has been edited by Stephen on October 16, 2004 09:02 am

I voted for NH90, from reasons like Sthepen's.


But, just because in this pole is not included last version of PUMA... a minute please.. site of EUROCOPTER... and here it is: EC 725 COUGAR with Maquila 2 engines. It is compatible with Type 42? I think it is.

Our IAR Brasov have enough experience with PUMA, and EC 725 is ... a PUMA, no?

Iama

Iamandi,

I agree with your excellent points, however the EC-725 has not been mentioned as a front-runner for the contracts. The AS-532 Couger was listed and fits your criteria as it is development of the Puma, and infact very similar to the EC-725

Thank You

http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/oct_04_46.php


A small article on this site.

Iama

I read on the net - Romanian Puma's enter in an up-grade program, at engine side. With a EC help, engine Maqila 1. Not a precise info - i dont know if this re-motorisation is only for SOCAT helicopters, or for entire fleet. It is a good thing, no?

Iama

If it provides work for IAR Brasov, it should be.

What Romania really needs is a "true" helicopter gunship, which it has never had.
The Bell AH-1Z Super-Cobra, AH-64D Apache Longbow, Eurocopter Tiger and South African AH-2 Rooivalk would all be excellent choices. This would be a considerable boast to the Romania Air Force.

Thank You

With our experience, and a cooperation with Eurocopter, we may produce an helicopter more superior to Rooivalk.

Iama

With our experience, and a cooperation with Eurocopter, we may produce an helicopter more superior to Rooivalk.

Iama

Iamandi,
I'am little unclear in what mean? Do you mean that Romania should build the Eurocopter Tiger. Or are you suggesting that Romania develop a improved version of the Rooivalk with the help of Eurocopter? Or thinking Romania should develop its own design with the help of Eurocopter?

Thank You

You know about our Puma/SOCAT? With help of EUROCOPTER, we may develop a helicopter more superior to Rooivalk. Some like what is SOCAT - a tendence to Mi24 - assault helicopter, not attack.

For an attack helicopter, we may use our past experiment - IAR 317 AIRFOX, on a new platform (not Alllouette) - EUROCOPTER have some leight elicopter, more modern then Allouette.

Tiger is not from our budget. Mangoose - italian one - may be a little cheap, and his performance is enough for us. Mangoose is a modern one.

Iama

French Eurocopter to Deliver Helicopters for Bulgarian Army

(Source: Sofia News Agency; issued Nov. 24, 2004)

"French aircraft maker Eurocopter has been picked to supply a squadron of Cougar transport helicopters for Bulgarian Air Forces, Defence Minister Nikolay Svinarov said.
The minister signed a protocol to this effect on Wednesday after a 15-member commission preferred the French company to US Sikorsky and Italia's Augusta.
Minister Svinarov would not disclose any parameters in the deal, including its price. “We need to fix a few parameters on the contract financing and an offset agreement,” he told journalists.
The contract is expected to be inked by December"

Anyone knows what model of Cougar, or in what configuration is to be?

Iama