Ministry probes how (U.S.-made) IDF choppers got to Colombia

[Cocoa]

Ministry probes how IDF choppers got to Colombia

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/413641.html

The Defense Ministry is investigating a complaint that a company called Globus Aviation Ltd. was involved in a transaction in which surplus IDF helicopters ended up in Colombia, violating an agreement with the ministry. The possibility that the helicopters have ended up in the hands of criminal elements in Colombia is under investigation.


<snip>

Though the transaction's origins go back several months, suspicions about possible wrongdoing arose two weeks ago. Globus Aviation received permission from the Defense Ministry to purchase five DM-500 helicopters that were in IDF surplus. The helicopters were made in America, and they were delivered to the Israel Air Force as part of U.S. defense assistance to Israel.

<snip>

But the helicopters ended up in the possession of a Colombian company called Aviel. Not long ago, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration officials turned to Israel with an inquiry about the choppers, asking why they have ended up in Colombia.

Senior Israel Defense Ministry officials have expressed concern that the sale of U.S.-manufactured helicopters to Colombian purchasers, without American consent, could harm defense relations between Jerusalem and Washington. Such tensions could compound existing problems that surfaced in recent years from other misunderstandings and affairs involving the use or sale of military items.

more...

[Aidoneus]

1. no surprise

Israel has long been a conduit for US arms manufacturers and US-backed rightwing regimes in Central/South America.

[htuttle]

5. Sounds like the old Iran-Contra pipeline from the 1980's

IIRC, Israel was hip deep in the actual weapons shipments to the Contras.

[truthspeaker]

2. Criminal elements in Colombia

Which ones, the left-wing militias, the right-wing militias, or the government?

[parkening]

3. The choppers had been

converted and certified as civilian aircraft. This does not really qualify as an arms deal.

When you think MD-500, think T.C.'s chopper from "Magnum, PI".

[BiggJawn]

4. If they're IDF choppers, they CAME from "criminal elements"

And if they've been "converted to civilian configuration", the can be converted back.

Able to carry the following:
"options include Hug 30-mm Hughes Chain Gun (firing rate reduced to 350 rounds per minute), four TOW missiles and Stinger MLMS AAMs"



Bet TC would have liked to had THIS one for mixing it up with the bad guys on Oahu...

[parkening]

6. Any helicopter can be converted

from civ to military. It's not any easier just because it was once a military chopper. Besides it takes a couple million $ per to do a decent conversion.

The MD series is without question the best performing aircraft in its class. Unfortunately also the most expensive. These things get recycled all the time which reduces the aquisition cost to the down-stream user.

Just because "eeevil" Israel does something we shouldn't read some deep, dark conspiracy theory into everything they do. Sure they spy on their friends and neighbors. Sure they retaliate to homicide bombers. What country doesn't do it. But consider that they are a democracy that allows Palestinians to be elected to the Knesset. Imagine one of their neighbors allowing an Israeli into their parliament --- oh, wait, they don't have a parliament.

[Cocoa]

7. a bit defensive

no one here said Israel was evil, or said anything at all about the I-P conflict.

I think a little bit of curiosity about where our military aid is going is understandable, don't you?

[parkening]

9. I was a little riled

by the snarky subject line of post #4.

A little curiosity is fine. But we're talking about 20 year old choppers here. The IDF flies them hot and heavy and more often than just about any other fleet. These choppers were used up and surplused.

[DulceDecorum]

8. You raise an interesting point

and since ANY aircraft can be converted from civilian to military use,
perhaps that is what happened to the two United Airlines planes N591UA and 612UA
(aka Flight 93 and Flight 175)
which two planes, according to the FAA website,
appear to be STILL able to fly the friendly skies.

After all, stranger things have happened than a civilian plane being diverted for military use.
For example, an Israel Defense Force helicopter turning up ferrying drugs in Columbia.

[parkening]

10. Has that happened?

I've not heard about any Israeli choppers caught ferrying drugs in Colombia.

[mobuto]

12. Um, yes, ok

[ConcernedCanuk]

11. Hmmm - has Rummy been shaking hands in Columbia too?