South Korea May Pick Mi-17 for Presidential Helicopter

South Korea May Pick Mi-17 for Presidential Helicopter

The ruling party and opposition have squared off over the import of three
presidential helicopters whose price could amount to W100 billion by 2003.

According to the Ministry of National Defense Thursday, the Air Force is
reviewing the purchase of EH-101 helicopters from EHI, a joint British-Italian
firm, and MI-17 helicopters from Russia. It will make the final decision at the
end of March.

However, military authorities and the National Defense committee at the National
Assembly have pointed out that the decision must not be made in haste as the
president, the supreme commander of the military, will be using the helicopters
and that the current VH-60P can be used for another 10 years.

Three Russian MI-17 helicopters will cost about W73 billion in total. This type
has been used by leaders in other nations, but its communications and radar
functions are known to have problems.

Britain`s EH-101 helicopters will cost W50 billion each. This model has never
been used as a presidential helicopter.

Jeong Jae-moon, a lawmaker from the Grand National Party, argued that this plan
should be reviewed again from the very beginning given the negative image that
the Russian equipment hold in Korea.

In response to criticism, the Air Force said that presidential helicopters are
usually replaced every ten years to insure safety, and that purchasing the
helicopters as planned will bring economic benefits.

/Chosun/
www.avia.ru