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George1 wrote:d_taddei2 wrote:
Secondly with Cyprus selling Mi-35p to Serbia, and reasons stating needing better night time capabilities and parts problems due to sanctions on Russia. And allocating $300mn to replace the aircraft which suggests $25mn each for a helicopters presuming that they are looking for 12 heli's. I wonder what they will be looking at. Russia does have better night time capabilities on newer heli's but sanctions are an issue. And buying European helis are expensive and will they end up having to increase their budget? Or reduce the number of heli's purchased? or buy secondhand to achieve the 12 needed? I always thought the Mi-35 a great choice for Cyprus due to having a small air force having a versatile Heli like the Hind gives them a good all round attack heli with added bonus of transport capabilities, basically two helis for the price of one. And that's important when u have a tight budget and small force.
The plan is to buy new helicopters in 2 phases (6+6). The first 6 until 2025 and the rest until the end of the decade. So these $300m propably is the amount of money for 6 helicopters.
One of their options could be the French "Tiger". France is the only country that sold arms to Cyprus after 1974. Cyprus military is consisted of russian and french weapons besides those that have been transferred there by Greeced_taddei2 wrote:
And only having 3 heli's (AW139) that can carry a section of infantry or special forces, having the Hinds make more sense. Their other helis either get used for anti armour or can carry only 4 troops, which isn't ideal for medivac stretcher cases.
AW139s role is SAR and Cyprus Police also operate that type (2). From my ssources i know that even these 3 arent always in operation status.
Then that's a very expensive helicopter at $50mn a piece. Would be better buying 6-8 Mig-29M/mig-35 and 6 mi-35m if they plan to eventually spend $600mn . But I forgot they are under the boot and heal of NATO/EU. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up with Apaches
