Defensieforum.nl

[andré herc]

Swedish government wants to buy Black Hawk helicopters
Source: http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/reg...hawk-1.1075579

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The Government wants to allocate several billion SEK in the state budget to buy U.S. Black Hawk helicopters.

Helicopters are vital for the new armed forces, to quickly move fewer but better-equipped soldiers and supplies over Sweden and the world. But despite that, the defense helicopter operations characterized by fiascos.

Taxpayers are now paying between 5 and 6 billion for a series of helicopter 14 (NH90), which continually been delayed. The helicopters would have been in operation two years ago, the most recent forecast is that they will be delivered 2017th Meanwhile, the medium-heavy helicopters used as before, 4 helicopters (Boeing Vertol 107), dismantled.

Despite the money and political orders, there is no Swedish rescue helicopters in Afghanistan.

Now the government wants to solve it by purchasing a new helicopter systems. According to Dagens Nyheter want government to have experienced American Black Hawk helicopters, but so far are numbers and exact cost secret. In its budget documents warn the Armed Forces to the new system becomes so expensive that other war been accompanied operational capabilities at risk if no new money being provided.

Social Democrat defense spokesman, Anders Karlsson, consider it a waste of tax money to buy new helicopters.

- We have already flown helicopters that only a third of what they are capable of, "he says, referring to the decommissioned helicopter 4th (Boeing Vertol 107)

The manufacturer Patria has just sent you a quote where you can restore them in operation for three million.

The Liberal Party's defense spokesman Allan Widman also think he, contrary to what the government thinks that the best helicopter 4 should be operational again. He also believes that Black Hawk should be purchased. But not to replace the helicopter 4 that the government wants, but to replace the helicopter 14 as Sweden already paid but which are constantly affected by problems and delays.

- Helicopter 14 (NH90) is like a taxi meter ticking and ticking, "he said and insisted that Sweden now will pay what they cost and get off the trip.

Defense Minister Sten Tolgfors (M) stresses that the entire government - that even the Liberal Party - is behind the helicopter proposal.

- To end the 14 helicopters (NH90) would be throwing money down the drain, "he adds.

- And to get the old helicopter in Afghanistan 4 operational costs not three million, but a hundredfold or thousandfold more.

bron:militaryphotos.net