U.S. May Modernize Pakistani Attack Helos
Posted by Robert Wall at 9/29/2008 3:17 AM CDT
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The Pentagon doesn’t seem to be holding a grudge against the Pakistani military for taking shots at U.S. helicopters.
While the two countries are sparring over what side of the Pakistani-Afghan border those encounters may have taken place, back in Washington, a foreign military sales package to upgrade Pakistani AH-1F Cobras has made its way to Congress.
The deal would cover all eight of Pakistan's AH-1Fs and could have a price tag of up to $115 million. Pakistan also operates AH-1S helos.
Covered under the FMS agreement would be spare and repair parts, some technical documentation, system integration and warranties. The package would also include maintenance of the attack rotorcraft.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s prposal includes a general rationale for any sale when it submits the FMS package to Congress. But in light of recent events, the boilerplate statement does seem a bit odd: “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for economic progress in South Asia and a partner in the Global War on Terrorism,” DSCA says.
In fairness, though, in this case DSCA is giving a bit more than its standard explanation of why the sale should go forward. It adds that “the Cobra helicopters are a very important part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the Northwest Frontier Province. The Pakistan Army uses the Cobras to conduct and support counterinsurgency and counter terrorism operations.”
End of article
Posted by Robert Wall at 9/29/2008 3:17 AM CDT
Article Link
The Pentagon doesn’t seem to be holding a grudge against the Pakistani military for taking shots at U.S. helicopters.
While the two countries are sparring over what side of the Pakistani-Afghan border those encounters may have taken place, back in Washington, a foreign military sales package to upgrade Pakistani AH-1F Cobras has made its way to Congress.
The deal would cover all eight of Pakistan's AH-1Fs and could have a price tag of up to $115 million. Pakistan also operates AH-1S helos.
Covered under the FMS agreement would be spare and repair parts, some technical documentation, system integration and warranties. The package would also include maintenance of the attack rotorcraft.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s prposal includes a general rationale for any sale when it submits the FMS package to Congress. But in light of recent events, the boilerplate statement does seem a bit odd: “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for economic progress in South Asia and a partner in the Global War on Terrorism,” DSCA says.
In fairness, though, in this case DSCA is giving a bit more than its standard explanation of why the sale should go forward. It adds that “the Cobra helicopters are a very important part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the Northwest Frontier Province. The Pakistan Army uses the Cobras to conduct and support counterinsurgency and counter terrorism operations.”
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