Man, this Helicoptor has more International Intrigue written over it than a James Bond movie. Golden Eye comes to mind here simply because it had a stolen Tiger chopper.
Designed by the russians, polished by the chinese, technical help from the SouthAfricans, shades of Agusta Westland, borne out a failed attempt to buy US Viper choppers, failed attempt to buy Mi-24/28 and then Ka-50......technological espionage.....Damn, makes you want to write a novel on it and put a skimpily clad chinese woman on the cover holding a walther ppk and the helicopter in the background for obvious reasons.
Kamov designed the helicopter, just like Yakovlev had "involvement" in the L-15 trainer.
"failed attempt to buy Mi-24/28 and then Ka-50" There was no such attempt from China , Russia sells them high tech fighters and attack helos would not be a problem. Exept they could not agree on the price.
Looks like India's Defence Acquisition Counsel has selected the SPIKE missile over the Javelin as India's primary Infantry Anti-Tank Missile. A lot of negotiations were being done by both vendors with the Govt. but it looks like the Spike is the winner. The initial deal is for 800 launchers and 8000 plus missiles. All to be built under liscence in India by Bharat Dynamics.
saw that a little while ago. not surprised. the SPIKE is the new "western" missile of choice. in my opinion it will soon be taking the hellfires place among allied helicopters, ground vehicles etc....i can understand why too. on paper it seems to be a better performer...ie much better range.
Airforces Monthly has a very good article on this particular design. Don't under-estimate it. It is also one of the few combat helicopters where the pilot sits at the front and the gunner at the rear, as opposed to the Cobra, Apache etc which have the pilot sitting at the rear.
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Man, this Helicoptor has more International Intrigue written over it than a James Bond movie. Golden Eye comes to mind here simply because it had a stolen Tiger chopper.
ReplyDeleteDesigned by the russians, polished by the chinese, technical help from the SouthAfricans, shades of Agusta Westland, borne out a failed attempt to buy US Viper choppers, failed attempt to buy Mi-24/28 and then Ka-50......technological espionage.....Damn, makes you want to write a novel on it and put a skimpily clad chinese woman on the cover holding a walther ppk and the helicopter in the background for obvious reasons.
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ain-defense-perspective/2013-03-15/kamov-reveals-involvement-chinas-z-10-attack-helicopter
DeleteKamov designed the helicopter, just like Yakovlev had "involvement" in the L-15 trainer.
"failed attempt to buy Mi-24/28 and then Ka-50"
There was no such attempt from China , Russia sells them high tech fighters and attack helos would not be a problem. Exept they could not agree on the price.
Storm Shadow, when you fail to reach a file price for a sale.....that is a failed attempt.
DeleteAlso, an off topic update-
ReplyDeleteLooks like India's Defence Acquisition Counsel has selected the SPIKE missile over the Javelin as India's primary Infantry Anti-Tank Missile. A lot of negotiations were being done by both vendors with the Govt. but it looks like the Spike is the winner. The initial deal is for 800 launchers and 8000 plus missiles. All to be built under liscence in India by Bharat Dynamics.
saw that a little while ago. not surprised. the SPIKE is the new "western" missile of choice. in my opinion it will soon be taking the hellfires place among allied helicopters, ground vehicles etc....i can understand why too. on paper it seems to be a better performer...ie much better range.
Deleteand cheaper
DeleteI don't know if its worth a damn, but it looks good.
ReplyDeleteIf you see the 3rd picture from the top, it looks like an evil Megatron.
DeleteA Walmart Apache?
ReplyDeleteAirforces Monthly has a very good article on this particular design. Don't under-estimate it. It is also one of the few combat helicopters where the pilot sits at the front and the gunner at the rear, as opposed to the Cobra, Apache etc which have the pilot sitting at the rear.
ReplyDelete