Region's Military Seeks to Modernize . . . But Tight Funding Forces Ingenuity

Chronic funding shortages in Latin American countries are breeding dependence on U.S. military aid -- mostly for anti-narcotics and counter-insurgency programs. Other aid programs foster development of natural resources (particularly fossil fuels and minerals), and include maritime and border surveillance, light ground-attack, air assault, transport support, air logistic, medical evacuation and search and rescue roles.

Show News analyst John Fricker explores the current defense and military requirements of South American countries and Mexico, along with their recent acquisitions.

CHILE

A Chilean Air Force Mirage 50C shows it can climb just as fast as maintenance costs for the fleet of aging fighters. Chile's Cougars are man enough to handle two Exocets.

Chile is beginning long-overdue modernization of its armed forces. Selection of Lockheed Martin Block 50 F-16C/Ds to meet Chilean air force (FACh) new combat aircraft requirements, following extensive evaluations of the leading contenders, represented a major advance in this process.

In early February the Chilean government signed a $500 million FMS letter of offer and acceptance for six Block 50 F-16Cs and four two-seat F-16Ds, powered by commercially bought F110-GE-129 turbofans, for delivery between mid-2005/06. Equipment is expected to include Northrop Grumman's advanced APG-68(V)XM radar with high-resolution SAR ground-imaging modes, 600 US gallon conformal fuel tanks, integration for Rafael Python 4 close-combat AAMs, Elbit's DASH helmet-mounted cueing system, and Israeli data-links with the FACh's Boeing 707 Phalcon Condor AWACS aircraft.

Following recent upgrades of 30 FACh Mirage Elkan/Panteras and 16 Northrop F-5E/Fs, initial F-16 deliveries will begin replacing 30 long-serving Cessna A-37Bs.

The FACh has led helicopter fleet modernization plans by all three Chilean military services, with procurement from mid-2000 of Bell Textron 412EPs. Its first four Bell 412s were delivered from total requirements for up to 16, to replace eight Bell UH-1Hs. The Bell 412 is also competing with the Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar, Mil Mi-171 and Sikorsky UH-60 for an exactly similar requirement by Chilean Army Aviation.

A used Bell 412 was also delivered in December 2001 to Chilean Naval Aviation as the first of up to eight required for utility and fleet support roles. Seven AS 532SC Cougars are operated in ASW/ASuW roles, with AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missiles or homing torpedoes.

Similar weapons are being considered for four ex-USN Lockheed P-3A Orion maritime patrol aircraft and two UP-3A support version, delivered in 1993.

Having ended an initial run of 126 T-35 Pillan primary trainers, developed from the Piper Arrow with a reinforced airframe, tandem seating and a 300 hp Lycoming IO-540 flat-six engine, Chile's state-owned ENAER aerospace company resumed production two years ago of another four aircraft. Dominica's air force received in early 1999 the last eight T-35B Pillans from ENAER's initial production.

In 1998 the Guatemalan and Salvadorian air forces each received five surplus FACh T-35s. Earlier sales of T-35s included 13 T-35A/Bs to Paraguay, and 10 T-35Ds to Panama.

ENAER is also reviving its T-35DT Turbo Pillan, powered by a 420 shp Rolls-Royce/Allison 250 turboprop, for prospective sales in at least two Latin American countries.

ARGENTINA

Argentina's Puncaras traditionally visit FIDAE.

Implementation of late 1990s plans to allocate $1 billion over a five-year period for armed forces modernization has been slowed by Argentina's recent severe economic crisis.

Short-term prospects for new equipment procurement may be limited, and planned upgrade programs may prove difficult. Among these, $1 billion of enhancements and proposed life extensions of the Argentine air force's (FAA) assorted Dassault Mirage fleet, now reduced to about a dozen or so each Mirage IIIEA/BE/DAs and IAI Dagger/Finger IIIAs, and seven Mirage 5Ps, as well as its 35 IA 58 Pucaras, seem unlikely.

Similar upgrades planned for six ex-U.S. Navy Lockheed P-3B maritime patrol aircraft received by Argentine Naval Aviation from U.S. storage from December 1997(along with two more for spares), have also been delayed.

The most recent major advance in FAA modernization was achieved in January 2000 with redelivery by Lockheed Martin Aircraft Argentina SA (LMAASA) of the last of 32 upgraded Douglas A-4AR Fighting Hawk combat aircraft, and four TA-4AR two-seat combat trainers. Lockheed Martin converted nine of the FAA's original A/OA-4M/P Skyhawks as A-4ARs and TA-4ARs with F-16-type radar and digital avionics at Palmdale, California, from December 1997. The remaining 27 were then completed by LMAASA at Cordoba, by late 1999.

A $250 million five-year contract with LMAASA announced in September 2000 covered upgrades with a mission computer, liquid-crystal cockpit displays and TCAS, of six FAA Lockheed C-130Hs from about 10 current Hercules. Also included was initial funding for a revived FMA IA 63 Pampa program for a lead-in fighter-trainer capability.

Twelve of 19 IA-63 Pampa single-turbofan low-cost intermediate jet-trainers built for FAA service from 1988 are being upgraded with new digital avionics from a $230 million mid-2001 LMAASA contract. This includes FAA orders for 12 new-build AT-63s to similar standards, plus 24 options and funding for eight more for Argentine Naval Aviation.

While retaining their FADEC-equipped 3,500-lb Honeywell TFE731-2C-2N turbofans, the upgraded AT-63s will gain additional light ground-attack capabilities from new Elbit 1553B digital mission-system avionics costing $15 million, and five external stores pylons. With other changes, a multi-function cockpit display, digital map, RLG INS/GPS, HUD, and HOTAS, were retrofitted into two IA-63s as AT-63 prototypes, for late-2001 roll-out, and initial production of one aircraft per month from 2002.

Costing an estimated $6.5-7 million fly-away, and with an 8,000 hour fatigue life, the AT-63 is being marketed as an affordable jet-trainer/light ground-attack aircraft by LMAASA, with possible co-production options. These could interest Israel, which needs to replace its elderly Fouga CM 170 Magisters (Tzukits), and has been offered outsourced leasing and AT-63 co-manufacturing by LMAASA.

Potential orders for up to 40 AT-63 have been discussed, within forecast markets of 300 or more from world requirements for 1,200 jet-trainers by 2010. Further AT-63 development plans from 2007 include installing an uprated 4,150lb TFE731-40R engine; strengthened landing gear and 7g wing; defensive EW systems; and a nose-mounted laser-ranger.

In the late 1990s, US aid for Argentina's anti-narcotic operations included transfer of 40 surplus Bell UH-1H utility helicopters. Eight UH-1Hs were received between late 1999-2000, after overhauls by US Helicopters, for the navy's Infanteria de Marina (IMARA).

Another 10 surplus US UH-1Hs were transferred in 2000 to Argentine army aviation (CAE), which then expressed requirements for Bell Huey II upgrade kits, and 12 ex-US Army Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters for drug interdiction roles. Congressional approval was expected last month for release to Argentina of 12 AH-1Fs, including two for spares, from US Army storage. Doubts were expressed, however, if sufficient CAE funding could be raised for their refurbishment and overhaul required before delivery.

Replacements or upgrades are also required by CANA for its three or four remaining Sikorsky S-61D and two Agusta/Sikorsky ASH-3H Sea King ASW and support helicopters, operated since 1972.

ECUADOR

A long-term arms race with Peru resulting from border disputes ended in 1998 from a mutual peace agreement, with corresponding reductions in defense spending and equipment procurement. Earlier plans to acquire surplus US F-16s were abandoned in favor of four upgraded attrition-replacement Kfirs C-2CEs bought from Israel in 1998 for $60 million. This also included upgrading eight of the FAE's remaining 13 C-2s and two two-seat TC-2s delivered from 1983, to similar standards, with new digital avionics, plus integration of Rafale Python 4 helmet-cued 70 degree off-boresight close-combat AAMs.

The first of two Bell 412EP Sentinel multi-role helicopters was delivered to the Ecuadorian navy in October 1998, with a quick-change anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel mission packages, using two Mk 46 homing torpedoes or two Penguin AShMs, respectively. More recently, Ecuador has acquired 222 Kolomna KBM Igla-1 (SA-16 "Gimlet") infantry SAMs costing $14 million from Russia.

BRAZIL

Brazil has the highest total of military personnel in Latin America, and constitutes about half its total land area. Current Brazilian defense policies are centered mainly on the government's $1.4 billion SIVAM (System for the Vigilance of the Amazon) program, involving ground and air surveillance systems covering 5.2 million square kilometers. As SIVAM prime contractor since August, 1994, the US Raytheon Corporation is integrating ground and airborne radars, plus other sensors and communication systems, including Brazilian space satellites. SIVAM is intended to monitor the vast Amazon area for drug-trafficking, illegal mining and logging, and provide early warning, air defense and air traffic control facilities.

For its airborne SIVAM sensors, the Brazilian air force (FAB) is now receiving five twin-turbofan EMBRAER EMB-145A (R-99A) AEW&C aircraft, with dorsally mounted Ericsson PS-890 Erieye planar phased-array radar, plus three EMB-145RS (R-99B) remote-sensing versions, with ventrally-mounted Canadian Dettwiler IRIS synthetic aperture radar, and IR line-scanning and FLIR/TV cameras.

For SIVAM border patrols, a $380 million FAB contract was placed in mid-2001 for 25 single-seat Embraer EMB-314M (A-29) Super Tucano ALX single-turboprop light attack aircraft with advanced Elbit digital avionics, and 51 two-seat AT-29 versions, plus 23 more options. Developed from Embraer's EMB-312 Tucano advanced turboprop trainer, with some 700 world-wide sales to date, the FAB's ALXs will be delivered between December 2003 and August 2006. In August 2001, first ALX export sales were also achieved from a Dominican Republic order for 10, reportedly costing about $5.5 million each, fly-away, to replace about six aging Cessna A-37Bs.

Embraer SIVAM formation--EMB-314M and AT-29.

Further 10-year FAB modernization is planned from $3.5 billion funding announced for the "Plan Fenix" program. This was about 50% more than originally planned, with first-year allocations of some $490 million, against recent annual Brazilian military procurement budgets of about $180 million. Main priority continues to be the FAB's $700 million F-X new combat aircraft requirement, for which RFPs were issued last October. The FAB is seeking 12-24 new fighters, with 100% industrial offsets, to replace a dozen upgraded Mirage IIIEBRs and six two-seat IIIBBR/DBR combat-trainers.

A 20% shareholding in Embraer acquired in 1999 by a four-company French industry consortium, including Dassault, reportedly gives its Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 submission a significant edge in the F-X program, which particularly emphasizes technology transfers. Responses were also reported last December from Lockheed Martin with Block 50/52 F-16C/Ds, the Saab/BAE Gripen, and Rosoboronexport with the MiG-29SMT and Sukhoi Su-35.

Su-35

Russia's bids were backed in January by an agreement between Sukhoi and Brazil's Avibras aerospace company for Su-35 component production and integration of FAB-related software, equipment and weapons systems, in the event of its selection. In February, a similar MoU was signed by Gripen International with VEM-VARIG Engineering and Maintenance, for logistics support, technology transfers, plus maintenance of Gripen avionics and other systems. Originally due last December, an F-X decision is now expected later this year, after further flight evaluations of the contenders, for initial deliveries in 2004-05.

Other FAB requirements now being implemented include additions to Brazil's five C-130E, five C-130Hs, and two KC-130H Hercules tankers, for the C-X program from estimated $76 million early 2001 acquisition via Lockheed Martin of 10 ex-Italian air force (AMI) C-130Hs. Operated since 1972, these C-130Hs were traded back to Lockheed Martin as part of $1.5 billion Italian procurement of 22 new C-130J/J-30s. EMBRAER was due to refurbish the ex-AMI C-130Hs, following their delivery between May 2001 and November 2002 with spare engines, plus airframe and avionics.

Delivery was also completed from December 2000 by U.S. Derco Aerospace Inc, of five FAB Lockheed C-130Es after systems and structural upgrades from a $50 million 1998 SIVAM contract. Derco supervised installation of digital GATM-compliant avionics, incorporating dual Litton INS/GPS, in these aircraft, to improve commonality with the FAB's C/KC-130Hs. Upgrades also included new outer wing sections, a Lockheed Martin/Honeywell APU retrofit, Derco/LMH environmental control system, and uprating their Allison T56-7 turboprops to 4,910eshp T56-15LFE standards.

Modernization is planned through the FAB's $300 million P-X program of nine ex-USN Lockheed P-3A/B maritime patrol aircraft with another three Orions for spares, from U.S. storage in July 1999. Local airframe overhauls and avionics upgrades were originally planned as P-3BRs by Lockheed Martin to approximately P-3C Update II standards, for initial 2002 service. RFP responses for P-X upgrades have also been received, however, from EADS/CASA and Galileo Avionica, while EMBRAER has reportedly offered a maritime patrol development of its 70-seat ERJ-170 regional jet as a possible alternative. Contract award is due by October.

Replacements are also being evaluated for the FAB's 17 long-serving DHC-5 Buffalo twin-turboprop STOL transports, through its $270 million CL-X requirement. This is for 8-12 similar transports, for which Lockheed Martin/Alenia C-27J and EADS/CASA C-295 are main contenders. The FAB recently received the first of four Raytheon Beech Hawker light transports for SIVAM flight inspection roles from its VU-X program, for successors to the dozen each Hawker Siddeley 125 and HS 748 transports operated since 1968.

Further major FAB programs now funded include a $230 million January 2001 Elbit Systems' contract to upgrade the avionics of 45 Northrop F-5Es, and three F-5F two-seat combat trainers, operated since the mid-1970s. The six year $285 million upgrade program will be undertaken jointly with EMBRAER in Brazil, Singapore's ST Aero, and Brazil's Aeronautics Command, to extend the F-5BR's useful lives through 2012. New Mil Std 1553B digital mission avionics will include Elisra or other defensive EW systems, and FIAR's Grifo-X pulse-Doppler multi-mode lightweight radar will replace the original Emerson APQ-153/159 system.

Mid-life avionics upgrades started by Italy, in conjunction with Elbit, for its AMX ground-attack fighters still await funding in Brazil. The FAB received 45 single-seat A-1A AMXs from 1989 through the joint program, followed by 11 A-1B AMX-Ts two-seat combat-trainers since 1992. FAB options on another 34 A-1As and 4 A-1Bs have also remain unfulfilled.

Among the other Brazilian services, the recently-retired 23,700 ton "Foch" light fleet carrier was bought from France in July 2000 for a reported $12 million, to replace naval aviation's (FAMB) "Minas Gerais" later this year. FAMB took over "Foch" in Brest in November 2000, for commissioning in Brazil as the "Sao Paulo" in February 2001. Deck operation trials and training then began by the FAMB's first AF-1/1A Skyhawk squadron, formed following Brazil's 1998 $70 million purchase of 20 surplus Kuwait air force A-4KU fighter-bombers and three two-seat TA-4KU combat-trainers. A dozen FAMB Agusta/Sikorsky SH-3D Sea Kings and 14 Westland Super Lynx Mk 21A ASW helicopters are also available for maritime use.

Brazilian army aviation (AEB) decided in mid-2000 to arm its 36 Eurocopter AS 365K Panther troop transport helicopters with anti-tank missiles, unguided rockets and gun-pods, in conjunction with night-vision systems, for day/night assault roles, to supplement its 18 AS 550A2 Fennecs. Eight Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar transport and surveillance helicopters ordered from a parallel $90.5 million AEB SIVAM support contract, follow five naval AS 532s flown since September 1986 on utility, fleet support and C-SAR missions.

PERU

Peru was the second Latin American operator of Soviet military equipment after Cuba, beginning in 1970. In that year Peru's air force (FAP) acquired 32 Sukhoi Su-20 variable-geometry ground-attack fighters, and four two-seat Su-22UM-3 combat-trainers, followed by 16 Su-22M-2Ks in 1980. Most of these aircraft are still in service and overdue for upgrading. Three An-74 twin-turbofan STOL transports were also delivered in 199. The FAP also bought nine Harbin Y-12 light turboprop transports from China in 1992.

Peru acquired 18 MiG-29s from Belarus in 1996, plus three two-seat MiG-29UB combat-trainers and Igla infantry SAMs from Russia in 1997. These were accompanied by Vympel R-77 (AA-12 "Adder") AAMs, as the first beyond-visual-range radar-homing missiles in Latin America, and were followed by 10 surplus Su-25 ground-attack aircraft and eight two-seat Su-25UB combat-trainers, also from Belarus, in 1999.

The U.S. released five Kaman K-Max single-seat medium-lift helicopters to Peru last year, funded through a $30 million U.S. anti-drug aid program and delivered to the National Police in March and April 2001.

Earlier this year, the U.S. more than trebled its counter-narcotic aid to Peru to $156 million. This includes some $20 million to upgrade 10 of the FAP's 30 ground-attack Cessna A-37Bs, over $20 million to incorporate Huey II upgrade kits in 14 National Police Bell UH-1Hs, and $2.7 million for eight P&WC PT-6A-25C turboprop engines for 25 FAP EMB-312 Tucano trainers. The FAP is also requesting eight Bell 412EPs, together with additional sensors for its four twin-turboprop Fairchild/Swearingen C-26 electronic and optical surveillance aircraft.

Upgrades are also required to the FAP's main combat strength of 10 Dassault Mirage 2000Ps and two two-seat Mirage 2000DPs, plus a dozen or so remaining Mirage 5P/DPs, although Peru's defense spending has been affected by low copper prices.

COLOMBIA

Upgraded Bell Huey II

Washington's $1.3 billion three-year package of military and humanitarian aid, announced in mid-2000 for its "Plan Colombia," was directed mainly towards counter-narcotics operations in 2002-03 to help combat the world's largest cocaine production. But the Colombian government has also been battling unavailingly since the mid-1960s to protect its oil resources and economy against the massive leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ) and illegal right-wing paramilitary troops, all linked with drug production, who control large areas of the country. Force mobility is an essential component of "Plan Colombia," which represents a quantum increase in U.S. aid from only $65 million in 1996.

This is centered mainly on provision of military aircraft - particularly helicopters. These are operated by all three branches of the Colombian armed forces, as well as by the National Police air wing (PNC). Main types involved in the recent aid programs have been upgraded Bell Huey IIs and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks, although transfers have also been made through the State Department of 33 Bell UH-1Ns. The latter are former Canadian Armed Forces Bell CH-135 TwinPac Hueys, acquired by the U.S. following their replacement by Bell CH-146s, and supplied to the Colombian National Police after refurbishment in two batches of 18 and 15 from mid-1999 to January 2001.

Following initial receipt by the Colombian air force (FAC) from 1997 of eight Bell UH-1H-II Huey IIs with a 1,800 shp Honeywell T53-L-703 turboshaft engine, transmission, gearbox, rotor blades and tailboom, to start upgrading its 73 returned UH-1Hs, the PNC received the first eight of 25 Huey IIs from mid-1999. Bell Textron has been working on 42 more Huey II upgrades, costing $2 million each, for "Plan Colombia," comprising 30 for the army and 12 for the police, for delivery by 2002.

Original 1992 deliveries of 10 Sikorsky UH-60As and four UH-60Ls to the FAC, seven to the Colombian army in 1998, and six UH-60Ls to the PNC from May 1999, were supplemented by a further three for the police and five army UH-60Ls originally built for Venezuela, by late 1999. FMS contracts totaling $221 million had then also been approved for seven armed UH-60Ls for the FAC and seven for the army, plus funding for another 30. FMS contracts exceeding $221.5 million were signed with Sikorsky for these in December 2000, with initial deliveries of 14 to the army and two for the PNC scheduled between July and December 2001.

An FAC Douglas C-47, converted with FLIR, night-vision, and fire-control systems, plus armament, to AC-47 gunship standard, restores the FAC Basler twin-turboprop AC-47 fleet to five. Other U.S. anti-narcotic aircraft supplied to Colombia reportedly include three DHC-5 Buffalo transports, five Cessna trainers, and Ayres S2R Turbo Thrush agricultural aircraft for defoliant spraying. Lockheed Martin has also received a $68 million contract for an air surveillance radar system, supplementing an additional USAF-deployed Northrop Grumman TPS-70 unit.

The FAC has a requirement for 24 new light ground-attack aircraft, such as the EMBRAER EMB-314, to replace its 11 Rockwell OV-10A Broncos and 10 remaining Cessna A-37Bs. Orders were announced in August 2001 for six Kazan-built Mil Mi-17MD transport/assault helicopters for the Colombian army as a follow-on to 10 delivered from 1997, one of which crashed in January 2001.

VENEZUELA

AMX-ATA (Advanced Trainer & Attack Aircraft

Venezuela, the first Latin American country authorized to buy F-16s (18 AIM-9P Sidewinder-armed, F100-PW-200-powered F-16A and six two-seat F-16B Fighting Falcons, upgraded to Block 15OCU standards) is now seeking their further modernization. Its F-16s currently equip two FAV air defense squadrons, supported from two Boeing 707-320Cs converted by Israel Aircraft Industries as aerial tankers in 1991.

Mid-1990s FAV F-16 upgrades included replacing the Litton AN/ALR-69 radar warning receiver with Israel's Elisra SPS-2000, plus installation of Litton's LN-93 ring-laser gyro INS. Enhanced operational capabilities also resulted in mid-2000 from FAV orders for Rafael LITENING multi-sensor targeting pods, for initial use with 500 and 1,000 lb GPU-12/10 laser-guided bombs. LITENING integration includes a night-vision goggles cockpit compatibility, and external lighting. The pod's infra-red system thus achieves a night operation capability for both its primary air-to-ground and new night air-to-air interception roles.

Further upgrade options now being considered include Lockheed Martin's advanced Mid-Life Update kit, and the F-16 Avionics Capability Enhancement (ACE) kit, also incorporating structural changes, developed by Israel Aircraft Industries and Elbit Systems. FAV evaluations are also being made of Singapore Technologies Aerospace's similar Falcon One glass cockpit upgrade program.

The FAV also has a requirement for new combat aircraft to supplement its recently-upgraded 15 Mirage 50DV/EVs and dozen Canadair VF-5A/Bs, plus 15 Rockwell OV-10A/Es, for which the MiG-29M2 and a MiG-29UB were flown in by an Antonov An-124-200 for demonstrations at Palo Negro AB last December. FAV interest has also expressed in acquiring Russian helicopters.

Among new equipment orders, the FAV selected the two-seat AMX-ATA (Advanced Trainer & Attack Aircraft) with upgraded Elbit avionics, in August 1999 to meet requirements for eight lead-in fighter trainer and light combat aircraft to replace its aging Rockwell T-2Ds and OV-10s. Deliveries were due to start late last year, and the FAV also has a requirement for 24 more advanced trainers, with similar AMX-type full-digital avionics, for which more AMX-ATAs, with Galileo's FIAR SCP-001 radar, or Aermacchi MB-339FDs, were under consideration.

MEXICO

Mexican Mil Mi-8MTV1

Mexico shares drug-interdiction and counter-insurgency problems with many other Latin American countries, with which it is equally dependent on U.S. aid. Mexican air force (FAM) combat equipment, mainly eight Northrop F-5E air defense fighters and two F-5F combat-trainers, supported by about 25 veteran Lockheed AT-33 armed jet-trainers, is in urgent need of upgrades or replacement, given the required funding.

Continued Mexican aircraft procurement, with U.S. assistance, to extend its contra-narcotic campaign now includes estimated $250 million contracts placed with EMBRAER in early 2001 for a single EMB-145SA, equipped with Ericsson Erieye planar active phased-array radar for airborne early-warning and control (AEW&C), and two twin-turbofan EMB-145MPA maritime patrol aircraft.

Mission systems for the two EMB-145MPAs will be supplied and integrated by Raytheon, and will include its advanced SeaVue surveillance radar, APX-114 IFF, electro-optical, communications intelligence (COMINT), and other equipment, for anti-narcotics, fishery, smuggling and pollution control roles. Raytheon's AIS will also provide COMINT systems and mission software for the parallel EMB-145SA AEW&C conversion, as key components in coordinating operations of other Mexican air, naval and ground elements. FAM EMB-145 deliveries will start late this year, to supplement two U.S.-supplied Schweizer RG-8A and four Fairchild C-26A surveillance aircraft transferred in 1994 and 1997.

Installation of EADS/CASA Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) MPA mission equipment in two of eight CASA C-212-200 light turboprop twins operated by Mexican Naval Aviation (AAM), from a January 2002 contract, will further reinforce its maritime patrol resources. Mexico's C-212MPAs will be used for control of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), drug trafficking patrols and interdiction, and supporting naval fleet deployments.

Modifications and FITS installation in the first two Mexican C-212s is being undertaken by EADS/CASA in Spain in collaboration with AAM personnel. Similar FITS MPA installations in the AAM's six remaining C-212s will follow in Mexico, mainly by Spanish-trained local personnel. Mission systems include Raytheon SAR/ISAR surveillance radar, IR/TV FLIR turret, Indra electronic support measures (ESM), SAES sonobuoy dispensers, and a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD), plus provision for air-to-surface weapons.

More helicopters have recently ordered by the AAM for maritime and support operations, starting with four Mil Mi-2 twin-turboshaft utility helicopters built in 1986-87, and acquired via Poland for SAR roles in late 1998. Following year acquisitions included the first four of eight MDH MD 902 Explorers by December, plus four more in 2000, to equip an Acapulco- and frigate-based coastal patrol squadron. Six-day U.S. weapons trials were also completed for clearance of a side- or cabin-mounted General Dynamics 0.5in multi-barrel GAU-19/A rotary machine-gun and an M2 pod containing seven 2.75in rockets, for anti-narcotic operations.

Other recent AAM U.S. helicopter acquisitions have included a four-seat Robinson R44 in March 2000, followed by two float-equipped two-seat R22 Mariners trainers ordered in December 2000. In 1995, the AAM acquired Mexico's first Russian military equipment in the form of 20 Kazan-built Mil Mi-8MTV-1 assault helicopters, since followed from 1996 by four FAM Mi-2s, 12 Kazan Mi-17s, and two Mi-26T heavy-lift helicopters, plus four Antonov An-32B twin-turboprop transports. Another largely unreported FAM order was for no fewer than 73 Cessna 182s, placed and delivered in 1999-2000, followed in late 2001 by a 37-seat Bombardier Dash 8 Q200 twin-turboprop convertible cargo/passenger transport.

Bell also received a $35 million order in October 1999 from Mexico's Attorney General department for 24 206L-4 LongRangers by September 200 for chemical defoliant distribution. From original operation of 17 Bell 206L-4 Long Ranger, two Bell 412, and two MDC MD530F helicopters, Mexico's para-military Federal Preventive Police (PFP) has recently been expanded from deliveries of two Antonov An-32, two CN-235M-200, and two DHC-6 Twin Otter twin-turboprop transports. These were further supplemented in late 2000 by five Eurocopter EC 120B, an AS 355N and two AS 350B light helicopters. plus four Mi-17s.

By John Fricker

©The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 2002/ShowNews FIDAE 2002