Choppers are vulnberable to ground fire. Even Apaches can be
downed once either rotors are damaged.
And no amount of armour on the Apache can stop a anti-aircraft
missile.
Furthermore, our more than 100 fixed-wing aircrafts are also
capable of ground attack and less-vulnerable to ground fire.
(Actually the Super Skyhawks are BEST.)
The IDF have demonstrated in past wars the destructive capability
and survivability of fixed-wing aircrafts in the ground attack
role.
I could be wrong but it must be difficult for a pilot to bail out
of a damaged chopper without being cut to pieces by the
rotor.
...
To me, I see the roles of these expensive and vulnerable Apaches
more as a escort/defence/suppression element for our heliborne
units or armoured/armoured infantry colums - AFTER fixed wing
bombers have more or less cleared the way.
...
If we do need more attack choppers, we don't necessarily need to
buy more expensive Apaches. We can convert utility choppers to the
attack role as a SUPPLEMENT.
The Syrians demonstrated in Lebanon 20 years ago that Gazelles
armed with ATGM worked very well against IDF armoured
columns.
So I don't think we should get more Apaches, though they are a
"nice-to-have".
