DTN News - INDONESIA DEFENSE: East Kalimantan Border Defense Gets Boost

DTN News - INDONESIA DEFENSE: East Kalimantan Border Defense Gets Boost

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Jakarta Globe
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 15, 2013: (Bandung) The East Kalimantan government has purchased a helicopter from Indonesian aircraft manufacturer Dirgantara Indonesia to monitor the province’s border with Malaysia, which is often used to move illegal logs from the country.

The Rp 120 billion ($12 million) Bell 412 EP helicopter is jointly produced by Bandung-based DI and US-based Bell Helicopter.

East Kalimantan Governor Awang Faroek Ishak said the helicopter will be used by the Indonesian military (TNI), which is tasked with patrolling the border. “This is a symbol of support to the TNI to help in protecting our border,” the governor said.

Awang also pledged to expand the runways of three airports allowing military planes to guard the province’s 1,038-kilometer border with Malaysia. The province will also allocate land for the construction of two military training centers, a Scorpion tank base, an infantry housing facility and other defense infrastructure.

Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the recently purchased helicopter will be used by a tactical squadron based in Berau district.

“This is an extraordinary helicopter. It has infra-red [cameras], radar and is able to lift heavy [military] equipment,” he said.

DI president director Budi Santoso said the helicopter can also be used for non-military purposes like disaster relief and search and rescue.

Maj. Gen. Dicky Usman, of the Mulawarman Military Command based in East Kalimantan, said his unit only had one helicopter, used to deliver supplies to military outposts along the border

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Jakarta Globe
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DTN News: US Delivers New Helicopters To Pakistan

DTN News: US Delivers New Helicopters To Pakistan

Source: DTN News / IANS

(NSI News Source Info) RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - May 20, 2010: The US delivered two helicopters to Pakistan Tuesday to help the Pakistan Army in its counter-insurgency efforts, the US embassy said. US Army officer Brig. Gen. Michael Nagata handed over two Bell 412 EP helicopters to Brig. Gen. Tippu Karim, commander of Pakistan’s 101 Army Aviation, at a ceremony at Qasim Army Air Base near here, Xinhua quoted an embassy spokesman as saying. The US recently purchased the two enhanced-performance utility helicopters, valued at $24 million, to assist Pakistan anti-insurgency operations. It also provided $20 million in spare parts, tools and other equipment for the helicopters. “The purchase of the aircraft demonstrates the US’ full commitment to a stable, long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan, one based on shared interests and mutual respect that will continue to expand and deepen in future years,” Nagata was quoted as saying. During the last three years, US civilian and security assistance to Pakistan has totalled more than $4 billion, the spokesman said. The assistance includes medical aid, school refurbishment, bridge reconstruction, food distribution and agricultural and education projects. The US also provided Pakistan 14 F-16 fighter aircrafts, 10 Mi-17 helicopters, over 450 vehicles for paramilitary troops, night vision goggles, radio sets, protective vests and first-aid items, the spokesman said, adding that 370 Pakistan army officers have also been trained on leadership and development programmes including counter-terrorism, intelligence, logistics, medical, flight safety, and military law. Related News US to give Pakistan Army two transport choppers US hands over two Bell 412 EP helicopters to Pak for counterinsurgency efforts

Obama Set To Supply Helicopters To Mexico

Obama Set To Supply Helicopters To Mexico

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 14, 2009: President Barack Obama was set on Friday to notify Congress of his first planned overseas arms deal, a Bell helicopter package to help counter drug-runners and other criminals in Mexico. The Obama administration is proposing to send Mexico five Bell 412 EP twin-engine helicopters, valued at $93 million, as part of an anti-drug plan called the Merida Initiative, said a person with direct knowledge who asked not to be named because of the matter's sensitivity. Established last year under former U.S. president George W. Bush, the Merida Initiative aims to help Mexico and Central America combat narcotrafficking, transnational crime and terrorism. Fort Worth, Texas-based Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc unit, would be prime contractor.

The notice of such a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean a deal has been concluded. The U.S. Joint Forces Command said in a recent study that criminal gangs and drug cartels had put Mexico's government, police and judicial infrastructure under "sustained assault."