RNZAF buying RSAF's squirrels?

IAF SG

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2801391a11,00.html

Air Force chopper deal likely
31 January 2004
By JOHN MYERS

The Air Force is investigating a deal to buy Singaporean Squirrel helicopters - like The Square Trust rescue helicopter - to replace its elderly Sioux training fleet at Ohakea.

Reliable sources have told the Manawatu Standard an evaluation is already under way that may see a number of former Singapore Armed Forces machines join 3 Squadron.

A single average used Squirrel changes hands for about $US1million on the commercial market, but what's being worked on in Singapore is a government-to-government deal and they will probably cost less.

The local helicopter community believes the Squirrel is an excellent machine.

"As a light training and utility helicopter, I couldn't see there's another choice," Helipro chief Rick Lucas said.

"New or second-hand is probably irrelevant as long as the component times are 'up there'," he said.

"Squirrel is the benchmark of light utility helicopters in the world today," Mr Lucas said. Helipro flies a number of Squirrels.

Square Trust rescue helicopter pilot Mike Hall, who flies a Squirrel every day, agrees.

"Running costs per seat are about as good as it gets," he said.

"It's very reliable and nice to fly. The Squirrel has hydraulic controls - a bit like power steering - and you can do a big day's work without too much fatigue."

Australia flies Squirrels in a range of military roles.

The sources say the deal looks good so far. It's understood a team led by helicopter replacement project chief Wing Commander Barry Nelson is in Singapore at the moment going over the helicopters.

The Sioux and Iroquois machines have been in RNZAF service since the mid-1960s. Not only are they "old" in terms of their flying life, and increasingly hard to maintain, they are old technology.

The replacement project is based on taking a broad-brush look at Defence's need for helicopter roles.

The Squirrel would likely be regarded as a modern-role Sioux replacement, adding broad utility and surveillance capabilities to the training role.

The Squirrel is a French design from the Eurocopter stable. It's a rugged turbine-powered machine able to carry seven people or more than a tonne slung from its load hook.

It's quite fast in general-purpose helicopter terms, cruising around 220kmh.

eurofighter SG

Is it our old Ecuriel which were long retired or our Fennecs? Heard that our Fennecs will be placed in storage/retired after the Apaches arrived. So what chopper will be conducting the training role? Sad to see them go.

wombat SG

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/3900/fennec.html

In 1982, the need for a new training helicopter to complement the Bell UH-1B saw the RSAF turn to France to fulfil this requirement. 6 AS 350B Ecureuils (Squirrel) light helicopters being purchased from Aerospatiale. These joined 123 Sqn that year and took over the basic helicopter training role, with the UH-1Bs retained for advanced training. This continued until 1989, when the UH-1Bs were retired and 123 Sqn Operations Flight was disbanded. The burden of the RSAFs helicopter training programme then fell on the shoulders of the Ecureuils, and this light and economical helicopter has been responsible for training scores of RSAF helicopter pilots.

In 1992, the RSAF took delivery of 20 AS 550 Fennecs(10 AS 550A-2 and 10 AS 550C-2). The AS 550C-2, equiped with a roof mounted sight and armed with GIAT 20mm cannon pods, BAe CRV-7 unguided rockets and Hughes HeliTOW anti-tank guided missiles, operate in the armed scout/observation role while the unarmed AS 550A-2 operate in the training role. The arrival of the new helicopters saw the reorgnisation of some of Sembawang ABs tenant units. 123 Sqn was renamed 124 Sqn, and continued in the training role with the AS 550A-2 while a new 123 Sqn was formed, operating the armed AS 220C-2 version. Some mystery still surrounds the fate of the 6 AS 350Bs, with some sources stating that they were sold to civilian operators in Australia while others stating that they continue serving with 124 Sqn in Singapore. Adding to the mystery is the fact that the Cambodian AF took delivery of 6 green-brown(similar to RSAF) AS 350Bs from an unknown source soon after the arrival of the RSAFs Fennecs.

cavsg SG

yes, there were here in july/august last year to evaluate the fennecs at 124. rsaf wants to dump those spare machines after 123 close shop.

Joe Black SG

Doesn't RSAF still need at least a couple for training new Chopper pilots? Why not retain the armed AS 220C-2 version as scout choppers and as training helo during peace time? Some of the Fennacs could also be converted for RSN uses right? What a waste of Tax payer money just to flog them off rather than finding better use of them.

tankee1981 SG

Any pics about this Squirrels helicopters? Very Happy

cavsg SG

last time 123 operates 13 fennecs, 124 7. now 123 close shop so 124 operates fennecs. the extact composition of 124 now i'll not reveal. we are not selling all the fennecs, just those that are under storage. they were there to see a serviceable fennec, not to go and chose which fennec to buy at the flight line like pasa malam.

gary1910 SG

Confirmation of sale of UH-1H to Philipines:

ST Aero to Provide 20 UH-1Hs to the Philippines Air Force

(Source: ST Aerospace; issued Feb. 12, 2004)

SINGAPORE --- Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero), the aerospace arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering (ST Engg), announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Philippines Air Force to supply 20 refurbished UH-1H helicopters with an integrated logistics package, worth US$12 million.

This agreement involves procurement and refurbishment within a year.

This agreement is not expected to have any material impact on the consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share of ST Engg for the current financial year.

"We are pleased with the confidence the Philippines Air Force has in ST Aero's ability to provide cost-effective solutions for their needs" said TAY Kok Khiang, President, ST Aero.

ST Aero provides a full spectrum of maintenance and engineering services through its three business segments. Aircraft Maintenance & Modification (AMM), Component / Engine Repair & Overhaul (CERO), and Engineering & Materials Services (EMS). With international offices and facilities located in key aviation hubs in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, ST Aero has a staff strength of more than 5,000 certified engineers and administrative specialists.

ST Engg is an integrated engineering group providing solutions and services in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. Headquartered in Singapore, the Group reported revenues of S$2.82 billion in FY2003. Its market capitalisation of about S$6 billion ranks it among the ten largest companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. ST Engg has 12,000 employees worldwide, and over 100 subsidiaries in 15 countries and 22 cities.

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I think our next Helos are much more urgently needed than our next fighter.