DTN News: Venezuela Gives Ecuador Six Mirage 50 Jets

DTN News: Venezuela Gives Ecuador Six Mirage 50 Jets *Source: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) QUITO, Ecuador - September 30, 2009: Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa announced September 28 he will receive six Mirage 50 jets "in good condition" donated by Venezuela, amid concerns of a South American arms race. "Venezuela wants to give us six Mirage jets ... we are going to accept them," Correa said in the northern town of Ibarra. The Venezuelan Mirage 5-fleet was in the process of being upgraded to 50EV-standard at the time of the coup, and only two modified aircraft were in country. It remains unknown if these, or some of the – then – unmodified Mirage IIIEVs were used for strike against Baraquisimento AB, during which five FAV VF/NF-5s were destroyed on the ground, mainly by 30mm cannon fire. Correa added that the country was discussing the purchase of a further 12 jets from South Africa and 24 Super Tucano fighters from Brazil, as well as radar systems and helicopters. It is just the latest sign of a military build up in South America and what the United States has warned could become an arms race. Venezuela, led by leftist President Hugo Chavez, recently announced a $2.2 billion from Russia to buy weapons. The purchases have come as tensions have grown between Ecuador, its Venezuelan ally and Colombia over support of leftist Colombian rebels and Bogota's agreement to allow the United States to use Colombian military bases.

Ecuador Army, Navy Want Dhruv Helicopters In Their Fleet - DHRUV, A STAR IN ECUADOR

Ecuador Army, Navy Want Dhruv Helicopters In Their Fleet - DHRUV, A STAR IN ECUADOR

(NSI News Source Info) Ecuador/Bangalore - May 21, 2009: Opening a new chapter in an unknown land. This was how it felt when a team of 10 dedicated personnel from HAL Helicopter MRO Division landed in Ecuador two months back.

Thanks to the efforts of these men, the first batch of five Advanced Light Helicopters is now etching its signature on the Ecuadorian skies. The team had left for Ecuador in order to provide maintenance and service support and to cater to the repair activities on the helicopters. The ALH has been well received by the Ecuadorian Air Force. The machine has proved its mettle. Ecuadorian officials are happy about its features, technology and performance. The Air Force is using the ALHs for multi-role and high altitude operations, said Mr R Narayanan, Deputy General Manager, Ecuador, who is leading the team at Ecuador. The Dhruvs are positioned in Guayaquil Air Force base and are undergoing customer acceptance trials, which are being personallymonitored by a team of five senior officers of the Ecuador Air Force. The demonstration on the underslung load capacity of 1.5 tons and rescue load capacity of 250 kg has already been given to the team. The high altitude trials are planned in Quito and Latagunga in the coming days. Adds Mr Narayanan, “On the training front, the basic conversion training has been imparted to four Ecuadorian pilots, and further intensive training for the team of 16 Ecuadorian pilots is planned in the next six months by a team of HAL pilots.” ALH for Army and Navy too:Ecuadorian President Mr Rafael Correa, who visited the base, had a close look at the ALH. During his visit, the President was keen to learn about the technical capabilities of the machine and was impressed by its performance, maintainability and agility. Besides the President, senior officers from Army and Air Force also visited the base. Thanks to the excellent performance of the ALH, the Ecuadorian Army and Navy too are planning to add ALHs to their fleets, adds Narayanan. He adds that the future appears to be bright for HAL in this particular part of the world. HAL plans to establish bay servicing facilities at Ecuador and to further explore business in the South American Market. Helicopter MRO Division shall spare no efforts to support their fleet and keep the HAL flag flying high in Ecuador. ONE FOR THE PRESIDENTTwo of the helicopters will be used to protect the Northern Frontier and will be based in Lago Agrio and Esmeraldas. Two others will be deployed at the Taura and Manta base and the fifth will be earmarked for President Rafael Correa’s use. A group of Indian pilots will be in charge of the operative training, and will train the members of the Ecuadorian delegation who stayed in India for two months to participate in workshops to get to know the new helicopters. Meanwhile, the tech training of the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) personnel will be carried out by a delegation of 10 HAL technicians, who will be in the country for two years.

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Brazil's Embraer Sells Ecuador 24 Super Tucanos

Brazil's Embraer Sells Ecuador 24 Super Tucanos

(NSI News Source Info) SAO PAULO - March 24, 2009: Embraer has sold 24 Super Tucano turbo-prop aircraft to the Ecuadoran air force to patrol its border and train pilots, the Brazilian aeronautics giant said Monday. The company did not disclose the value of the sale. Deliveries of the aircraft were to begin at the end of the year, it said. The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29 is a turboprop aircraft designed for light attack, counter insurgency (COIN) and pilot training missions, incorporating modern avionics and weapons systems. It is currently in service with the air forces of Brazil, and Colombia, and has been ordered by the Chile, Dominican Republic and Ecuadorian Air Force. Embraer has plans to sell it to other countries in Asia and the Middle East. Besides pilot training, it is heavily employed in monitoring operations in the Amazon region. With the latest deal, Embraer has sold 169 Super Tucanos in the international market. The model is an upgraded version of the Tucano, of which 650 currently are in service in 15 air forces around the world, the company said. Embraer orders totaled 20.7 billion dollars in the first half of 2008. It is the third largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft in the world after Airbus and Boeing.

India’s HAL to Deliver First Export Dhruv Helicopter / From HAL To Ecuador: 7 Choppers

India’s HAL to Deliver First Export Dhruv Helicopter / From HAL To Ecuador: 7 Choppers

(NSI News Source Info) BANGALORE - January 30, 2009: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which will be showcasing wide array of its Research and Development (R&D) capabilities along with current and new products during Aero India 2009 will hand over a Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to the Ecuadorian Air Force.

HAL which has bagged a contract to supply seven ALHs to the South American country will hand over its first chopper during the biennial airshow which is to be held at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, from February 11 to 15.

Sources said that the Bangalore- based defence public sector undertaking, which clinched the $51 million deal with Ecuador to supply seven of its 5.5 tonne class helicopter will supply the first Dhruv during the airshow.

The HAL Dhruv is a multi-role helicopter developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is being supplied to the Indian Armed Forces, and a civilian variant is also available. The type was first exported to Nepal and Israel, and is on order by several other countries for both military and commercial uses. Specialized military variants include anti-submarine warfare and helicopter gunship versions.

Foreign sales: In June 2008, the government of *Peru ordered two air ambulance Dhruvs for use by the Peruvian health services. Peru has also shown interest in the military version Dhruv. HAL also secured an order from the *Ecuadorian Air Force for seven Dhruvs. HAL has gained this order amidst strong competition from Elbit, Eurocopter and Kazan. HAL’s offer of $ 50.7 million for seven helicopters was about 32% lower than the second lowest bid from Elbit. The first helicopter will be delivered within six months. Dhruv also participated in a Chilean tender for 8-10 5.5 tonne, twin engined new generation helicopter, but lost to the Bell Helicopters Bell 412 amid allegations of arm-twisting by the US Government. The evaluation included flights at high altitudes, hot and desert conditions, ship deck landing, search and rescue at 12,500 ft MSL at a temperature of 2°C as well as long distance ferry flights, clocking 107 flying hours. *On August 10, 2008 HAL chairman confirmed it had finalized a deal with Turkey to supply 3 Dhruvs for $20 million. Turkey is planning to buy as many as 17 helicopters in medical assistance role. *India is also reportedly planning to transfer several Dhruvs to Myanmar. This led to protests from Amnesty International, who pointed to the use of components sourced from European suppliers as a possible violation of the EU Arms Embargo of Myanmar. In a letter to the President of the EU Council of Ministers, Amnesty stated that it had evidence that India planned to transfer two Dhruvs (with European components) to Burma. These reports have been denied by the Indian Government. *HAL is negotiating with Bolivia for delivery of five Dhruvs and with *Venezuela for seven of the choppers in transport roles, and in Europe. The Dhruv is also being offered to *Malaysia. *Indonesia is also evaluating Dhruv helicopters for the Indonesian Army. *Flight certification for Europe and North America is also being planned, in order to tap the large civilian market there.

“HAL will hand over one ALH and will line up five brand new ALH choppers during Aero India as per the contract signed with the Ecuador Aviation Authority,” said sources. The deal envisages the supply of seven helicopters in semi knock-down conditions to Ecuador in a time-frame of 15 months to two years. HAL bagged the order from the South American country last year after fierce bidding, which also involved Israel firm Elbit, Eurocopter, subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company’s, Kazan, Russia.

“A team from HAL has already visited Ecuador and a team from there has visited our facilities to gain first hand expertise. The HAL will also set up a base at Ecuador for maintenance of the ALHs,” said sources.

During Aero India, the aircraft and helicopters of HAL that would be on display are : one Hawk in flying display, Intermediate Jet Trainer, ALHs (one in flying display, one with glass cockpit in static display and one civil ALH) and one DO-228 in Maritime Reconnaissance and Intelligence Warfare (MRIW) role.