KUWAIT CITY, (BM) – Kuwait buys Apache helicopters from the United States for nearly $ 4 billion, learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing a press release from the US State Department.
Read more: Kuwait and the US Navy Buy M61A2 20 MM Gun Systems for F/A-18E/F Aircraft
The deal is for $ 4 billion. In addition to new helicopters, the Middle East will upgrade 16 of its AH-64D Apache helicopters to the level of the AH-64E Apache. The deal also included the receipt and processing of aircraft engines, renewal of the old models’ missile systems, the revival of navigation, and more.
The US State Department made this decision at the end of this year on December 29. According to Washington, such a sale will strengthen the US position in the region and support its ally’s fighting capabilities in the face of the Kuwaiti people. The State Department also commented that this would give Kuwait better opportunities for aerial reconnaissance. The United States reiterates that the sale of eight new and the renovation of 16 old helicopters will not upset the military balance in the Middle East.
The State Department said that the deal would require additional personnel to be responsible for delivering aircraft from the United States to Kuwait and the training of Kuwaiti pilots. It is also clear from the announcement that several companies will participate in the order’s execution, including the three most extensive in the United States and the world – Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon.
Kuwait refused to accept 30 French helicopters because of technical defects
In 2016, the Ministry of Defense of Kuwait ordered thirty H225M Caracal helicopters for 1.07 billion euros. In February last year [2020 – ed.], the Kuwait Government said they refused to accept cars. Cause? Detection of unspecified technical defects in duplicate, as we reported then, citing sources from Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense refused to accept the Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal multipurpose vehicles and announced the creation of a technical committee to identify defects and eliminate their causes, and then to resume scheduled deliveries.
The manufacturer of Caracali should now provide a report and show in it possible defects and warranties for their repair. According to unofficial information, the problem lies in the “Turboméc Makil 2A1 turbocharged engines with a power of 1,776 kW (2,382 hp) each, which drive French helicopters.”
Read more: Top 5 best military attack helicopters in service in the world
Some media recall that these are not the first problems with similar helicopters ordered by Kuwait. One of them concerned an anti-corruption investigation initiated by Kuwaiti intelligence agencies after information appeared that a tender broker, Lebanese Farid Abdelnur, had requested Airbus a commission of € 60 million for this contract.
Boeing AH-64 Apache, US is the best attack helicopter in the world
In our ranking, the American helicopter AH-64E Apache is the best attacking helicopter in the world. The AH-64 Apache which is mainly used by the United States Army. The Apache was developed by the US company Hughes Aircraft and is now produced by Boeing.
The AH-64E “Apache Guardian” is the new name since October 2012 for the variant previously known as AH-64D Block III. The U.S. Army stated that the new name “Apache Guardian” was necessary due to the performance increases due to the new upgrades.
The extensions to the AH-64E include improved digital connectivity, the installation of the new Joint Tactical Radio System, more powerful T700-GE-701D turbines, an improved transmission for a maximum of 2120 kW, the ability to control UAVs, full IFR capabilities and 15 cm longer composite rotor blades. The new rotor blades, which successfully completed the flight test in May 2004, increase the speed, rate of climb and payload capacity of the Apache.
Another innovative capability is MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming), which enables US pilots to take control of nearby drones at any time and thus gain access to their sensors, live camera streams and weapons. With the MUM-T, the operating radius of the Apache is significantly increased. The pilots can use the drones to scout out their targets at a distance of 80 to 100 kilometers long before they approach the target area and can easily keep an eye on them even when moving. The system is already being used successfully in Afghanistan.
Read more: Egypt plans to spend $2,3 billion to repair its AH-64E Apache helicopters
In October 2010, Boeing received the order for series production of the new Apache; delivery began in November 2011. Overall, the U.S. Army with 690 AH-64E, with 56 machines to be newly produced and 634 Apaches to be converted. First, 236 Block I helicopters are to be brought up to this level.
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BulgarianMilitary.com
Editorial team