Chile to push for chopper deal with Russia despite U.S. pressure

[Judi Lynn]

Source: RIA Novosti

Chile to push for chopper deal with Russia despite U.S. pressure
10:1310/07/2009

MEXICO, July 10 (RIA Novosti) - Chile plans to continue talks with Russia on the delivery of five Mi-17 multirole helicopters for the Chilean Air Force despite pressure from the United States, a government spokesperson has said.

Chile originally planned to purchase S-70A Black Hawk helicopters from the U.S. but change their mind after Russia state arms exporter Rosoboronexport quoted an estimated $80 million for their Mi-17 V5 craft, which are nearly half the price of the Black Hawks.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke sent a letter to Chilean ambassador Jose Goni on July 1, in which he expressed his "disappointment" with the country's decision.

"It is quite normal. When a decision is made over a purchase of equipment or weaponry there is always a losing side, which becomes disappointed and attempts to defend its point of view," Chilean government official Carolina Toha said.




Read more: http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20090710/155488759.html

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U.S. ‘DISAPPOINTED’ OVER CHILE’S PURCHASE OF RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS
Thursday, 09 July 2009
As Chile Negotiates Purchase of US$275 Million Of Arms Equipment From U.S.


U.S. trade officials expressed “disappointment” on Tuesday with Chile’s recent decision to buy five transport helicopters from Russia.

Chile originally planned to purchase Black Hawk crafts from U.S. manufacturer Sikorsky, but decided on a US$80 million deal with Russian-owned military export company Rosoboronexport, as their Mi-17 V5 craft were said to be almost half the price of the Black Hawks.

http://www.santiagotimes.cl/santiagotimes/index.php/2009070816643/news/latest/u.s.-disappointed-over-chile-s-purchase-of-russian-helicopters.html

[pinniped]

1. The Chilean .gov was given an offer they couldn't refuse.

.

[Grinchie]

2. Their SU-27 is much more inexpensive as well.

Unit Cost 35 Million a piece

F-22 137 Million Unit cost, Program cost to build 65 Billion, or so we are told.

Oh yeah, Chinese diesel electric subs, technology that has been around for 70 years, can penetrate the middile of an Aircraft Carrier group and surface before it's detected.

Thats should raise confidence in our glorious overbloated Military. I guess this is why the military is always so frightened of being attacked.

What are the poor Arms manufacturers going to do when the Dollar is no longer the reserve currency, and we can't print as much as we want anymore?

[PFunk]

3. Get use to this folks 'cause it's going to be a trend.

As it goes into empire mode US goods (and the US itself) will increasingly become globally unpopular/unwanted. Especially with both Russia and China to go to instead.