retirement of MGB
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With the introduction of our new Frigate starting 2005, our MGBs will be replaced. Just wonder if RSN will transfer these boats to PCG as mentioned in this website:
http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/
I think MGBs will be a good choice for PCG with a 57mm Bofor gun and 4x 0.5" MGs -
I think that the primary purpose of the MGBs in the first place is to defend coastal regions of Singapore,therefore it will be very suitable for the Coast guards. However it will be a bit of over-kill as the Coast guards don't really need the Harpoon missles. Maybe they will do some modification and upgrading to the boats by removing the missile launchers. They are after all quite old already so will need the make-over.
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the MGB's will be retired. Maybe sold off or scrapped. But not going to the Coast Guard.
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Heard that they may be sold to Philippines after some retrofitting from 2005 onwards.
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Just read a report that we are going to sell off almost all our UH-1H Helos to Philippines, 20 to be exact.Originally posted by damienthedevil:Heard that they may be sold to Philippines after some retrofitting from 2005 onwards.
The contract I heard is quite firm, ST will refurbish them and deliver them in batches.
CHARGE!!!
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Originally posted by gary1910:
But when and what is the replacement?
Just read a report that we are going to sell off almost all our UH-1H Helos to Philippines, 20 to be exact.
The contract I heard is quite firm, ST will refurbish them and deliver them in batches.
[b]CHARGE!!!
[/b] -
Below is the report I copy & paste from another forum, I am sure you could find the link.................Originally posted by laurence82:But when and what is the replacement?Philippines buying 20 helicopters from S'pore firm
By Manny Mogato
MANILA, Jan 9 (Reuters) - The Philippines is buying 20 refurbished helicopters from a Singapore defence contractor, the air force said on Friday, in a $12 million deal that will bolster the region's weakest military force.
Singapore Technologies Aerospace, Southeast Asia's largest aviation service company, is expected to deliver the first batch of three upgraded versions of the U.S.-built UH-1H helicopters in March, air force spokesman Major Restituto Padilla told Reuters.
The Philippines will get at least three helicopters, which date from the Vietnam War era, every month until all 20 are delivered by the end of this year.
"This is the best deal we can get considering our limited resources," Padilla said. "These are not brand new aircraft but they will be better because of night-flying capabilities."
The UH-1H is the workhorse of the Philippine military, performing medical and casualty evacuations, troop transport and close air support on operations against a host of Muslim and communist rebel groups.
The air force already has about 60 UH-1Hs, all acquired from the United States under a foreign military sales programme, but less than 30 are in flying condition.
Padilla said the funds for the helicopter transfer deal were drawn from the $3 billion military modernisation programme, but that only $90 million was available for disbursement.
Singapore Technologies Aerospace beat out three other bidders and has agreed to provide maintenance and after-sales service for the helicopters over the next two years.
"Yes, we did make a bid for the tender," Audrey Tan, a spokeswoman for the defence contractor, told Reuters. "We are still waiting to hear back from the Philippine government."
Singapore Technologies Aerospace's regional marketing director Anthony Tan said it was still awaiting the final award.
U.S. HELICOPTERS ALSO COMING
Padilla said the contract was awarded on December 2 but required a "notice to proceed" from Defence Secretary Eduardo Ermita and General Narciso Abaya, the military's chief of staff.
"This is a done deal. The president has already given her approval," Padilla said, adding that Singapore had also obtained approval from the United States for the helicopter transfer.
He said all defence equipment made by U.S. companies need an end-user certificate before being transferred to a third party.
The Philippines is also getting 10 UH-1Hs from Washington under the U.S. Excess Defence Article programme, but Manila will pay $8 million for their refurbishment.
The 10 helicopters are in addition to 20 UH-1Hs that U.S. President George W. Bush promised to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when she visited Washington in May 2003.
The 20 helicopters pledged by Bush will be delivered without charge as part of a $300 million military assistance package.
The Philippines is a close ally in the U.S.-led war on terror, hosting American soldiers to train its own forces. Manila also was a member of the "coalition of the willing" during the Iraq war but did not send any troops. -
Why they buy our old heli?
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CV-22 Osprey
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Well, no money, plus ST Aero is upgrading their cockpits to be compatible with NVGs. Still can get a few mileage out of each helo. So for the price of 1 brand new Black Hawk, they get 20 UH-1Hs.Originally posted by sgboy2004:Why they buy our old heli? -
Make senses to sell to the Phillippines. Afterall they really lack sufficient warships to protect their many islands and their claims to the spratleys.Originally posted by damienthedevil:Heard that they may be sold to Philippines after some retrofitting from 2005 onwards.
Take of the Mistrals, and (possible Harpoons) and we can simply hand them the ships as is. Throw them all the 57mm rounds, and sell them the Gabriels dirt cheap. (Oh, do we need the Israeli's approval to sell them)? -
i cOriginally posted by Joe Black:Well, no money, plus ST Aero is upgrading their cockpits to be compatible with NVGs. Still can get a few mileage out of each helo. So for the price of 1 brand new Black Hawk, they get 20 UH-1Hs.
Thanks
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It may not be the current hueys we are operating that will be going to the philipines. We do have some hueys in storage. I saw with my own eyes quite a couple of them stored in Seletar Airport. Besides we have also purchased many batches of hueys and the current ones were delivered around late 1980s/early 1990s.
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-Double Post-
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Man, I'm really going to miss the whop-whop-whop of the old workhorses flying around Singapore if all RSAF Hueys are really retired. The Chinooks sound close but it's just not the same.
I hope the RSAF is smart enough to set aside one for the museum. I know theres already a UH-1B there, but the H has served for almost 30 years, while the Bs were with us for less than 10.
And keep the B there while they're at it... -
I initially thought that Singapore bought old Hueys at scrap metal prices from other countries to be first upgraded then resold to the Philippines. Thanks for the article, help cleared my doubts. But there seems to be a problem, we have not have a replacement for the Hueys yet but we already decided to sell them. Not very wise i must say.