KUALA LUMPUR: DPM and Defence Minister Dtk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be in Seville, Spain, in the next few days reportedly to take a closer look at the A400M transport aircraft at EADS-CASA facility.
Speculation is rife that he is not just there to look and touch the A400M but may well be there to close the deal on the purchase of Cougars for the Nuri Replacement Programme.
Since Eurocopter is part of EADS this may well might be the end of the long search for the air force. As there will be not much industrial offset for the Cougar, they might get something in return with the A400M, of which we are already committed to buy at least four examples, at least.
I could be wrong of course, they might just opt for the other helicopters in contention. Those who are willing to bet against me of course, should offer a small financial incentive to back their claim. Any takers?
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View Comments (23)
RM20 on the AW101, just cause it's such a lovely bird and has a stern ramp that makes life soo much easier for so many things.
Simon
We are on then...my Maybank acct no....
Umm, someone should let the ACA/LHDN know that they should start an audit on somebody's account (and their family folks too!).. as a base for comparison of the said accounts a few months from now. ;)
But alas...
Heh....I'm betting on impropriety in this procurement exercise and a complaint filed to the European Commission on the propagation of corrupt practices against EADS and victory by default as they run like hell.
If you win and the procurement is above board, it's RM20 well spent..... Otherwise I can have a nice meal and the satisfaction of seeing Eurocorrupters (pardon the pun) going to jail!
Simon
There was a report on Strait Times, 26th July that Eurocopter will invest RM250mil if the armed forces decide to replace the Nuri with the Cougar.
Maybe in the package include at least 6 Tigers for a start... I know this is wishful thinking.
Relax guys. The Cougar is the only other serious contender for the programme so if its really the one that we bought, it is certianly better than the S92 or the Mi-17. Dont get me wrong, here, I still believe that the Blackhawk is the cheaper option...
S-92 Vaporhawk.......
Blackhawk doesn't haul like a Merlin.......
The Nuri deal is being run through PM's Dept. as part of the wider policy to starve MINDEF of funds for obvious reasons.
Simon
The Spain visit may well be postponed I am told most probably due to the upcoming by election...
Why? A visit to P.Pauh by DPM would not help the cause.
Marhalim: His absence could also be viewed and exploited as a lack of confidence.
I also think that it is going to be the Cougar.
EH-101: Too expensive
S-92: Too unproven. Additionally, its FMS. The French is likely to be more "accomodating".
Mi-17: Too "utilitish". Air Force wants a CSAR capable bird.