Procurement Article Index : Current 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
 Latest
 News 		  Most
 Read 		  Most
 Commented		  Hot
 Topics

December 25, 2001

The Chilean Army has put 30 old helicopters up for sale and is seeking bids on 10-16 new transport and assault aircraft. Candidates include the Bell-412EP, UH-60 BlackHawk, Eurocopter AS-532 Cougar, and Russian Mil-17. The Chilean Air Force has bought four Bell-412EPs to replace older UH-1Hs, and expects to buy six-ten more. The Chilean Air Force bought a UH60 BlackHawk in 1996 but decided to buy Bell-412s instead, and uses the one BlackHawk as a VIP aircraft. It plans to buy another BlackHawk for the same use. The Chilean Navy wants to replace its Bell-206 Jet Rangers with Bell-412EPs. The Chilean Air Force is also completing a deal to buy ten F-16C and D Block-50/52 fighters from the US for $637 million. While Chile won't get the AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles it wanted, the US has promised to provide them later if Chile is threatened by an aggressor.--Stephen V Cole