The UK has mothballed a quarter of its AgustaWestland-Boeing WAH-64 Apache Longbow AH.1 helicopters following the end of combat operations in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed to IHS Jane's on 19 March.
In January, 16 of the British Army's 66 Apaches (67 were procured, but one was lost in an accident in Helmand Province) were placed into storage, leaving a force of 50 helicopters now operating out of Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.
"The 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review and 2012 Planning Round identified the need to adjust the Apache aircraft numbers in line with the drawdown of operations in Afghanistan. With the end of combat operations, the fleet was adjusted to 50 in January 2015," said an MoD spokesperson.
While the 16 helicopters have been withdrawn from service, the MoD said 'key components' will be removed as required to sustain the remaining fleet.
The MoD did not disclose if the drawdown of Apache numbers will affect the Army Air Corps' force structure. Currently, the Apache is fielded by 653 (operational conversion unit), 662, and 663 Squadrons of 3 (Attack) Regiment, and 656 and 664 Squadrons of 4 (Attack) Regiment.
COMMENT
As it consolidates its current fleet the MoD is also assessing its options for maintaining the UK's attack helicopter capability out to 2040 and beyond.
In early March industry sources disclosed that the MoD has released a request for information (RfI) for remanufacturing the army's current AH-64D Block 1-standard helicopters into the latest variant AH-64E Guardian under the Apache Helicopter Capability Sustainment Programme. This work would probably involve cross-decking equipment such as engines and sensors from the current aircraft onto newly manufactured airframes.
The MoD has stated that it is looking to continue the capability at a strength of 50 helicopters and that a decision on the way forward is expected in March 2016.
In January, 16 of the British Army's 66 Apaches (67 were procured, but one was lost in an accident in Helmand Province) were placed into storage, leaving a force of 50 helicopters now operating out of Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.
"The 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review and 2012 Planning Round identified the need to adjust the Apache aircraft numbers in line with the drawdown of operations in Afghanistan. With the end of combat operations, the fleet was adjusted to 50 in January 2015," said an MoD spokesperson.
While the 16 helicopters have been withdrawn from service, the MoD said 'key components' will be removed as required to sustain the remaining fleet.
The MoD did not disclose if the drawdown of Apache numbers will affect the Army Air Corps' force structure. Currently, the Apache is fielded by 653 (operational conversion unit), 662, and 663 Squadrons of 3 (Attack) Regiment, and 656 and 664 Squadrons of 4 (Attack) Regiment.
COMMENT
As it consolidates its current fleet the MoD is also assessing its options for maintaining the UK's attack helicopter capability out to 2040 and beyond.
In early March industry sources disclosed that the MoD has released a request for information (RfI) for remanufacturing the army's current AH-64D Block 1-standard helicopters into the latest variant AH-64E Guardian under the Apache Helicopter Capability Sustainment Programme. This work would probably involve cross-decking equipment such as engines and sensors from the current aircraft onto newly manufactured airframes.
The MoD has stated that it is looking to continue the capability at a strength of 50 helicopters and that a decision on the way forward is expected in March 2016.
Jura The idiot
General
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
If you really want to bring a strategic capability to the Type 45 then it needs BMD capability
In the fall of 2015 RN and USN will work to use Sampson radar for BMD use and this programme is called TECC its under consideration and after the result are in they will decided wether or not to go ahead with BMD on the Type 45 DDG although there is already considerable pressure from US to do so
Only problem is with so few ships adding such a capability will further lock up further units for even more rolls
In the fall of 2015 RN and USN will work to use Sampson radar for BMD use and this programme is called TECC its under consideration and after the result are in they will decided wether or not to go ahead with BMD on the Type 45 DDG although there is already considerable pressure from US to do so
Only problem is with so few ships adding such a capability will further lock up further units for even more rolls
asif iqbal
Lieutenant General
Interesting shots and now only two British Army divisions operate Challenger the 1st and 3rd
Back in the days the 1st division had a large presence in Germany with scores of tanks to counter any Soviet threat into Europe and there was a time in the end of 1970s when the Soviet Union was at its height of power when they could have on paper trumped NATO forces in Europe
Sorry asif but since long time 1st and 3rd Div are the only to use Challenger since 4th Arm dissolution and BAOR also.
50, frontline fleet about 45 : each Cbt sqn, 4 have 8 AH-64D, OCU Sqn about 12.
Before 6 Cbt sqns, frontline fleet 61 helos a decrease still.
50, frontline fleet about 45 : each Cbt sqn, 4 have 8 AH-64D, OCU Sqn about 12.
Before 6 Cbt sqns, frontline fleet 61 helos a decrease still.
Naval Today said:
I know Jura already posted this news...however, we have been talking about this for years. it is good to see the Type 45s (at least four of them) getting this anti-surface missile capability.
HMS Duncan (shown above) already has them. Now HMS Diamond does too.
Jura The idiot
General
... proceeded by a scathing comment
in my opinion the Type 45 should have been armed with the new AShM since they entered service, instead of that FFBNW ...
SamuraiBlue
Captain
... proceeded by a scathing comment
in my opinion the Type 45 should have been armed with the new AShM since they entered service, instead of that FFBNW ...
What kind?
There are much AShM in the western market. Especially ones that can be shot from a standstill.