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WASHINGTON: The United States (US) Navy awarded a $170 million contract for the manufacture of nine AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters to Bell Helicopter, the US Department of Defense said in a statement on Monday.
The combat helicopters will be manufactured and delivered to Pakistan under the Foreign Military Sales Program, the statement said.
The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine combat chopper based on the previous SuperCobra model developed for the US Marine Corps, Sputnik reported. It has a top speed of 420 kilometres per hour and a range of 610km.
The contract awarded "for the manufacture and delivery of nine AH-1Z aircraft and nine auxiliary fuel kits for the government of Pakistan" is "expected to be completed in September 2018".
"Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $170,173,188 will be obligated at time of award," the Defense Department statement says, adding that the Naval Air Systems Command is contracting the activity for the Pakistani government.
Last April, the US State Department approved the Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for the AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters and AGM-114R Hellfire II Missiles and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $952 million.
Read more: US approves billion-dollar arms sale to Pakistan
Earlier this year, the US approved a $700m sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, to which India strongly objected. The sale was made in order to improve Pakistan’s precision strike capability, the US said.
In a document released in February, the US administration told US lawmakers that its Foreign Military Funding (FMF) to Pakistan would focus on seven priority areas "identified and agreed to with the government of Pakistan".
These include "precision strike; air mobility and combat search and rescue; counter-improvised explosive device and survivability; battlefield communications; night operations; border security; and maritime security/counter-narcotics in support of counter-terrorism aims".
The document, sent to Congress with the US administration’s budget proposals for 2017, identifies these areas as essential to enhancing Pakistan’s counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism capabilities.
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On DawnNews
Apr 05, 2016 11:04am
Wish we could use this cash for opening schools and universities.Why do we need so much ammunition .
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Apr 05, 2016 11:12am
We need to stop spending on foreign military hardware. If we commit ourselves to building our own weapons of war, and compel and push our best and brightest into national defense and research, we will be able to produce cutting edge weapons. It will also stimulate the economy and plug the cash going out for these handful of super expensive weapons. We literally have to beg the West for these obsolete garbage. We have a severe inferiority complex and believe that if it's American equipment, it must be the best and that we are incapable to making competitive equipment. I'll admit, the JF-17 is also an obsolete heap of trash, but we could have been making something much better than that if 20-30 years ago we had decided we would never spend a single rupee on a foreign fighter. We must stop relying on foreign military equipment. A nation that cannot produce its own weapons of war deserves to be conquered.
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Apr 05, 2016 11:34am
"awarded a $170 million contract". Does that mean US will pay for these or was Pakistan"awarded" to pay Unites States 170 million USD?
Pakistan learnt nothing from the Pressler Amendment!
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Apr 05, 2016 11:47am
We don't need helicopters and weapons of mass destruction. All that we need is economic stability and jobs for the people which will automatically decrease terrorism and internal political instability.
The subjects can't afford further taxation for these abortive and useless efforts perusing balance of power in the region while they themselves starve.
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Apr 05, 2016 12:12pm
I think that Pakistan should rely on home grown arms , as the sole priority should not be US or Chinese made equipment. Because of their staggering weight on the Pakistan,s economy a poor country like Pakistan can not afford, despite of having severe need of military assets to counter insurgency as well as foreign belligerence. The home grown JF-17 are the best example in this regard, following this example the country should also focus on Maritime and coastal areas security by shifting its doctrine towards home grown naval arms and aviation warheads.
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Apr 05, 2016 12:13pm
@ABDULLAH. we do need schools and unis as a long term countermeasure.. but in the short term we do need latest weaponry to deal with the baby killers/terrorists.. we cant drop book on the monsters who can only understand the language of bullets and bombs..
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Apr 05, 2016 12:14pm
Invest on universities and you won’t need to spend this huge amount on war planes. You will be able to build modern fighter jets easily using your bright brains.
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Apr 05, 2016 12:24pm
I understand the war in FATA requires the helicopters and we lost some number already, replenishment is required. And appreciate going for he newest model.
But It is about time we weigh our options on such big decisions right and divert some funds to education as well. Otherwise this nation will never be able to stop the dipping rate which is almost Nose dive. US is doing whatever possible to increase weapons sale to help their economy, we should have gone for Russians, could have got same level of machine for lesser price or atleast diversified.
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Apr 05, 2016 12:26pm
At about Rs.2 billion each, these helicopters are simply outrageously expensive. We should rely more on home made drones instead.
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Apr 05, 2016 12:33pm
@abdullah The machines are one thing... using them in war like situation is another... the US can lock or brick the machines wireless. And not supply parts which makes Pakistan use all its money on show off and building self-esteem rather than a useful tool to combat realistic problems in ground reality. Bad governance and baby food feeding by the army is responsible for this. Pakistan is slowly but surely becoming the most dangerous place on earth.
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Apr 05, 2016 12:34pm
This in many ways is a game changer. US has realized that Pak will turn to China if it doesn't provide weapons. AH 1-z super vipers are not some old obsolete hand overs that US has given us in the past. These are state of art and very much in use by the US and some European armies. Was this a reaction to Pak taking the latest Z 10s made by China?.. time will tell
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Apr 05, 2016 12:36pm
Rs. 200 Crore for one helicopter, and Rs 875 Crore for 1 F-16.
Nice going boys.
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Apr 05, 2016 12:51pm
Apparently the kick backs are greater when you buy American products as compared to Chinese ones.
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Apr 05, 2016 01:32pm
No doubt war is a good business. Nobody gets any thing out of peace.
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Apr 05, 2016 01:40pm
Very nice it will boost the pakistani navy.
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Apr 05, 2016 02:12pm
@Irfan Hussain Irfan how many other countries are making their own fighter jets? It's a question of economy, we can not afford to spend money on research and development. Unfortunately we have not been able to make our own transport buses and motor cars, jet engine is another thing, even the most countries are sharing this technology.
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Apr 05, 2016 02:40pm
It is heartening to note that significant number of the readers wish that the funds were better utilized for education and health.
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Apr 05, 2016 02:49pm
@shary
Agreed. No doubt education and health should be our priorities but we also cannot ignore the hostile environment that we live in. Pakistan has reduced it's military spending but obviously we do require weapons to counter internal and external threats. People forget that we are still fighting a war in FATA and even if it is near it's end, military presence in that area will remain for a long time.
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Apr 05, 2016 03:04pm
For Those who think PAKISTAN spent more money on Military and Weapon's . go through it
http://www.dawn.com/news/1250119/pakistan-not-among-15-countries-with-highest-military-expenditure
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Apr 05, 2016 03:52pm
US Navy orders nine AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters for Pakistan... Awarded for free... Nothing in this life... is it for free...in the house of cards folks life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.
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Apr 05, 2016 03:59pm
Now India will oppose this sale saying it will be used against them.
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Apr 05, 2016 04:24pm
I thought it was an agreement of 15 Vipers then why have they ct it down to 9, any idea?
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Apr 05, 2016 04:32pm
Indian spy navel officer discloser might have triggered this deal
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Apr 05, 2016 04:34pm
Those philosophers who want this money to be spent on universities, should answer that if we can't defend our country then those universities will be no where to stand. We must have a very strong army first even if we have to offer metros, orange trains and fly overs. We have seen Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and Libya fall like a feather and being left in the hands of terrorists. So be careful what you say.
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Apr 05, 2016 04:52pm
It's as almost as effective as Apache helicopters. A wise and cost effective decision by Pak Army.
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Apr 05, 2016 04:55pm
Pakistan military knows what it needs. These war machines are vital for Pakistan who is fighting terrorists hiding in mountains and caves. This is a practical need, no need to get emotional about it.
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Apr 05, 2016 05:11pm
Good move, we need to protect Gawadar. I think we should've ordered around 20.
I don't get why people say "wish we can spend it on education". What good is education if you can't defend yourself? The whole world has increased their defense budget yet some shmucks are calling it to reduce it in Pakistan? What a joke!
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Apr 05, 2016 05:22pm
After the Indian Spy get caught , US lobbying playing there games again
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Apr 05, 2016 05:28pm
@shary This short term-ism has lasted 69 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Apr 05, 2016 05:36pm
@Shahid Wishful thinking. The millions saved could be used in education but it is wishful THINKING ONLY .
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Apr 05, 2016 05:39pm
@Shahid Not gold(weopons) but only men can make a nation great and strong. Men with education, morals, standards, ethics, responsibility, accountability, self belief.
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Apr 05, 2016 05:39pm
It has now adays become a fashion to say reduce spending on defence...cant u thick headed see that wee are surrounded by enemies from all sides...do u ppl want to wnd like iraq syria afghanistan...i totally agree with increasing education but y sont u tell the incumbent politicians to increase taxation on elite and stop corruption and build schools instead of metrol and orange line...who stops them ???...
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Apr 05, 2016 05:56pm
Thanks President Obama. Pakistanis loves you as you are fair and peace loving President.
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Apr 05, 2016 05:58pm
People will have more ownership of the country if people get better quality of life , jobs available, security and basic amenities like hospitals and roads are good. If not then this could be one of the main reasons of terrorism. Even if we buy all US military gadgets but root cause was not addressed terrorism will be there always.
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Apr 05, 2016 06:08pm
Stop wasting money. Spend this money on education
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Apr 05, 2016 06:39pm
waiting for indian protest...
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Apr 05, 2016 06:40pm
Pakistan wants "peace and friendship" with all countries, especially with neighbors.
Unfortunately, India being ten times larger has always threatened Pakistan directly with wars, or indirectly with subversion and terrorism using Afghanistan and Iran. Indian Navy Commander Jadav admitted involvement in state-sponsored terrorism.
India has failed to resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully, yet it opposes United Nations mediation? This is the reason that Pakistan must maintain minimum defence capability for its survival. India's growing nuclear and conventional weapon arsenals are serious threat to regional and world peace.
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Apr 05, 2016 07:13pm
Economic hitmen at work. Selling weapons to potential enemies all over the world to earn revenue and cause massive poverty and economic downfall.
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Apr 05, 2016 08:33pm
We could make 50 tactical nuclear weapons for $170 million and this money would not leave the country.
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Apr 05, 2016 08:42pm
We want 9 stealth submarines.
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Apr 05, 2016 10:29pm
Great work . A strong military is what we needed . The fruits of democracy are totally rotten, sour and painful !
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Apr 05, 2016 11:05pm
Ah-1z vipers very important for Pakistan
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Apr 06, 2016 12:07am
@zalmay khan beautifully stated sir
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Apr 06, 2016 01:09am
long way to September 2018
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Apr 06, 2016 04:36am
Has india the biggest spender on military equipment complained yet.....
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Apr 06, 2016 06:18am
US orders special helicopters to Pakistan. To fight who?
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Apr 06, 2016 03:46pm
Why has the USA navy ordered, and not the Pakistani navy?
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Apr 06, 2016 03:53pm
@Zain Order chinese z10 , more of them as well. as a back up plan.
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Apr 07, 2016 07:00am
Our borders are huge. While they will offer some help We need something in the order of 90 if we really want to make a difference. Let's be real.
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