Procurement: Used Hueys In Demand

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June 10,2008: The Philippines is buying ten UH-1H helicopters from Singapore, for $900,000 each. Singapore is replacing all its older military helicopters with UH-60s and AH-64s. Singapore has a per-capita income of nearly $50,000, while the Philippines has a per capita income of about $1,400. The Philippines has a population (90 million) that is 20 times larger than Singapore's, but is beset by corruption, and two rebel movements (one Moslem, the other communist). So the Philippines buys second hand whenever possible. Singapore obtained its UH-1H helicopters in the late 1970s, and has maintained them well ever since. The UH-1 ("Huey") earned a solid reputation during the Vietnam war. With continued good maintenance, the UH-1Hs should be good for another decade of use.