Philippine Air Force to get 8 new attack helicopters with full night operation capability

Eight brand new attack helicopters capable of navigating safely in bad weather will be acquired for P3.4 billion for the Air Force.
A bid bulletin of the Department of National Defense (DND) shows that the project would involve the purchase of eight helicopters with full night operation capability, complete weapons system and integrated logistics support package.
“These helicopters shall be capable of performing close air support during day and night,” read the bulletin.
abs-cbnnews

U.N. urged to consider drones, gunships for South Sudan mission

The United Nations should consider deploying surveillance drones and helicopter gunships in South Sudan because peacekeepers are struggling to protect civilians from violence and rights abuses.
uk.reuters

Iran needless of foreign aid for repairing copters

The commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces says the country’s air force has achieved self-sufficiency in repairing helicopters.
presstv.ir

Germany cuts Tiger and NH90 TTH orders, adds more NFHs

Eurocopter SAS, the world’s largest helicopter maker, had a German government order for attack and transport rotorcraft curtailed after more than a year of discussions over how to restructure the deal.
An agreement signed today cuts Germany’s Tiger attack helicopter program to 57 units from 80 and the number of NH90 troop transports to 82 units from 122, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. Germany will add 18 NFH90 maritime helicopters under the terms of the agreement, it said.
The German government has sought to amend the deal with Eurocopter, the helicopter arm of Toulouse, France-based European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. (EAD), to cut spending and bring the number of rotorcraft in line with a smaller military. The company, on the other hand, had been trying to assure its production capacities would not be undermined.
“The outcome is a clear win-win situation for both parties, and provides those involved with a resilient and sustainable solution for the future,” Eurocopter spokesman Christoph Mueller said by e-mail. “We took a tough stance in our negotiations, but our discussions were most constructive.”
Eurocopter has agreed to buy back 11 Tiger attack helicopters already handed over, the ministry said. The contract change, which still needs to be finalized, will free up significant budget, it said.

bloomberg

German Tigers Helicopters Ready in Afghanistan

The Unterstützungshubschrauber (UH) Tiger combat helicopters which Germany deployed to Afghanistan in December are ready for action beginning yesterday, the Bundeswehr announced today.

The German-led Regional Command North now has at its disposal an air weapon team with two Tigers, plus two more in reserve. To prepare for operational readiness, the Tigers practiced working together with ground forces and made familiarization flights day and night throughout the area under Regional Command North.

The announcement came after the Bundestag, Germany's parliament, today voted 435 to 111, with 39 abstentions, to extend the Bundeswehr's mandate in Afghanistan until the end of February 2014, when its planned troop strength will be reduced to 3,300 from this year's ceiling of 4,400.

Nicholas Fiorenza-Aviationweek

Certification Next Week, First Rudra Copter To Army At Aero India

With certification complete, the first weaponised ALH Dhruv armed helicopter, christened Rudra, will formally receive certification next week. The Indian Army will receive its first Rudra at Aero India that kicks off on February 6 at the Yelahanka air force base in South India.

Shiv Aroor-livefist

WZ-10 armed helicopters launch missiles

The Nanjing Military Region of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) held a military drill recently to test and improve the force's combat capability in high-tech warfare.
China's newly unveiled attack helicopter, the WZ-10, was seen in the exercise launching AKD-10 air-to-ground guided missiles and Tianyan-90 air-to-air guided missiles.

nosint

china.org

Peru May Purchase 24 Combat Helicopters from Russia

Peru intends to buy a consignment of 24 combat helicopters and eyes Russia as one of its potential suppliers along with France and the United States.

defencetalk

INDIA:'197 Copter Bid In Process'

"The Ministry has not deferred its decision of purchasing of 197 Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs) and the procurement case is under examination. The Defence Procurement Procedure lays down stringent guidelines to effect utmost probity and transparency in procurement transactions. It is not a fact that these helicopters were to be purchased from Government of Italy. In the context of an allegation against one service officer, as appearing in the media, information has been sought from the Government of Italy."

Incidentally, the two companies are likely to be instructed to extend the validity of their commercial bids for the fourth time as they expire by the end of this month. It is possible that the deal will come up at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) later this month.

Shiv Aroor-livefist

Indian tweak VVIP helicopter tender requirements so that AW101 can compete

Documents seen by Indian Express showed that the Indian defense ministry had tweaked the requirements for a tender to buy 12 VVIP helicopters so that the AgustaWestland AW101 helicopter can compete.
In the first round of competition, the AW101 was rejected as it could not fly at 6,000 meters. India then modified the specifications to make the fly at least at 4,500 meters.

alert5

indianexpress

U.S. Army officials keen to buy new armed scout helicopter

U.S. Army officials have backed a plan to buy new armed scout helicopters instead of extending the life of the OH-58.

alert5

reuters

Syria rebels use new arms to down chopper

Syrian rebels downed an army helicopter for the first time Tuesday with a ground-to-air missile from newly acquired stocks in what a watchdog said could be a turning point in the 20-month conflict.

defencetalk

Third AW169 prototype takes to the skies

AgustaWestland's third AW169 prototype began flight testing on 23 November. The 4.5t light intermediate twin made a 35min flight from the airframer's base in Cascina Costa, Italy.

flightglobal

US Navy releases draft RFP for Presidential helicopter

The US Navy (USN) has released a new draft request for proposal (RFP) for the VXX Presidential helicopter replacement programme. A formal RFP should be released by the middle of the current fiscal year.

flightglobal

U.N. attack helicopters targeted rebels positions in eastern Congo

United Nations attack helicopters hit rebels positions in eastern Congo on Saturday after fighting resumed and M23 rebels gained ground in heavy fighting.

alert5

reuters

India plans to install AEW on Army helicopters

The Indian Army is in the final stages of ordering a helicopter-borne early warning system. This system will be fitted on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).

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Four Tigers Delivered to German Army for Deployment to Afghanistan

A significant milestone in Eurocopter’s Tiger support helicopter program has been reached following the delivery of the first four helicopters to be upgraded for deployment to Afghanistan. This now leaves the German Army in possession of a complete batch of ASGARD helicopters – a vital prerequisite if the Tiger is to be deployed in theater by the end of the year.

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Heli-One (Canada) support attracts police attention

Canadian rotorcraft support specialist Heli-One is making a first appearance at ILA to boost its business in Europe - and has landed a contract from the Slovenian police force.


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