MILITARY PURCHASES OF CIVILIAN HELICOPTERS

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Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5
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RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
12
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
March 8, 2010
Sequence Number: 
1
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
June 19, 1985
Content Type: 
MEMO
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PDF icon CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5.pdf403.39 KB
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 , 25X1 Central Int Intelligence AMXY 19 JUN X985 MEMORANDUM FOR: (See Distribution List) Office of Global Issues SUBJECT: Military Purchases of Civilian Helicopters 25X1 1. The attached memorandum examines the possibility of politically isolated or embargoed nations--such as Chile, South Africa, or Taiwan--following North Korea's lead in purchasing civilian model light helicopters for military purposes. We believe this possibility is enhanced by the availability of a wide variety of civilian light helicopters from Western Europe and the US and the number of firms that specialize in arming helicopters. 25X1 2. This memorandum was prepared by 25X1 f a G Arms Transfers Branch, Office o o 25X1 25X1 3. Your comments and suggestions are welcome and may be addressed to me on Attachment: Military Purchases of Civilian GI M 85-10167, June 1985, DIA review completed. 25X1 25X1 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 I I SUBJECT: Military Purchases of Civilian Helicopters OGI/ISID/AT Distribution: 1 - David Wilson, DOS 1 - Henry Levine, DOS 1 - Jennifer Ward, DOS 1 - M. Pat Miller, DOS 1 - John R. Konfala, DOD 1 - Col. Robert Witter, DoD 1 - Col. Robert Turner, DoD 1 - Col. Burton Bacheller, DOD 1 - Byron L. Jackson, Commerce 1 - David C. Bowie, Commerce 1 - E. Gene Christiansen, Commerce 1 - SA/DDCI 1 - Executive Director 1 - DDI 1 - DDI/PES 1 - NIO/Western Europe 1 - NIO/NESA 1 - NIO/East Asia 1 - NIO/Latin America 1 - NIO/General Purpose Forces 1 - D/EURA 1 - D/NESA 1 - D/OIA 1 - D/EA 1 - D/ALA 1 - D/CPAS 1 - D/OGI, DD/OGI 1 - OGI/PG/CH 8 - OGI/EXS/PG 1 - DDO/EU1 1 - DDO/EA/ 1 - DDO/NE/ 1 - D DO/ LA/ 1 - C/ISID 1 - C/ISID/AT (18June85) 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 25X1 I I Central Intelligence Agency b shilpmnc20505 DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE June 1985 Military Purchases of Civilian Helicopters Summary politically isolated or embargoed countries are likely to find it attractive to purchase civilian model light helicopters for military purposes. We believe that the variety of firms in the Third World, Western Europe, and the US that specialize in arming helicopters increases the likelihood that South Africa, Chile, or Taiwan may purchase civilian helicopters and add a weapons capability. Unlike North Korea--which recently obtained 86 Hughes 500 helicopters through a West German firm--these countries would not need middlemen and could openly purchase civilian model helicopters on the international market. Customers in the Third World will continue to be attracted to civil transport helicopters that can be used in observation and military transport roles. 25X1 25X1 i available as of 17 June 1985. sis nal on is based on informat a y Comments may be directed to Chief, In ternational 25X1 Security Issues Division 25X1 25X1 GI M 85-10167 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 I I Background Many Third World countries have purchased civilian model helicopters to augument their military helicopterainventories. Based on a recent analysis of global estimate that approximately 15 percent of helicopters in service Most of these with Third World militaries are civilian models. helicopters were purchased legitimately, without any attempt to conceal the helicopters' ultimate military function. Most civilian helicopters have similar performance characterisstic~has their military counterparts. Some, however, are equipped less powerful engines or less sophisticated avionics making them dels and therefo ore somewhat cheaper than militar mo attractive (see annex). Some Third World countries have purchased civilian helicopters to circumvent a supplier's restrictive arms export policy. West Germany's arms export policy, for example, restricts the sale of military equipment to the Middle East. Some others have purchased civilian helicopters to mask a politically sensitive arms deal. For the most part, surreptitious transactions involve politically isolated countries. In addition to North Korea, several other countries have recently purchased civilian helicopters: 25X1 25X1 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 I I Arming Civilian Helicopters Some countries that purchase civilian helicopters r guns, themin for air-to-ground missions with rocket pons f machine h example, some cases, anti-tank guided missiles. Iraq, r equipped approximately 10 of the BO-105s bought from Spain in 1982 with anti-tank Sguided imilarly SSNorthaKoreaywill ptheir robablycarmisome purchased BO-105s. of their 86 Hughes 500s with AT-3 ATGMs produced domestically. ith rockets, missiles, or Arming civilian helicopters w machine guns is facilitated by the service on the international Buehrle supplied 20 mm guns for Iraq's BO-105s, while the French firms Euromissile and SFIM added HOT anti-tank missiles. Cardoen, a Chilean firm, is designing a bolt-on kit to convert standard helicopters into gunships, according to USDAO Santiago. Several private US firms openly advertise this service in trade journals. Civilian model helicopters can perform important observation We and troop transport duties with little or no modification. believe that many of North Korea's Hughes 500s may be used in a troop insertion/infiltration role. (South Korea operates 195 similar Hughes 500 helicopters, which will complicate Seoul's efforts to detect North Korean infiltrations supported by their Hughes 500s.) Iraq has also devoted most of their BO-105s to observation and troop transport missions. We believe Chinese and Taiwanese military capabilities will improve as well from the mobility heavy- and medium-lift helicopters will add to their inventories. Outlook Some politically isolated or embargoed nations insoherThird World--such as Chile, South Africa, and Taiwan--may purchase civilian model helicopters and arm them. We believe they will be attracted to light-weight helicopters of less than 10,000 pounds maximum take-off weight that are more agile, manueverable, and difficult to detect than larger models. Unlike North Korea, which used a West German firm as a middleman, these countries could openly purchase civilian model helicopters on the international market from a wide variety of US and West European firms. According to USDAO Santiago, for example, a Chilean firm Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 I I is considering the purchase of civilian Dauphin helicopters eatheWesolditoethe SouthChilean France that wquld be armed in Chile military or be made available for export. Africa and Taiwan might also be attracted to helicopters. Both countries field large profession but currently lack a sophisticated attack helicopter capability. We believe their domestic arms industries are sufficiently advanced to adapt guided anti-tank missiles to civilian helicopters. Civilian model helicopters will continue to play an these The majority of important role for Third World countries. aircraft will be used for aand equexipment observation duties. Jordan e for mediumslifthe civilian helicopters Venezuelan Air Force operates helicopters and the Royal Thai Army and Peruvian Air Force rely transport troops. on Bell 214ST helicopters to Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Light Helicopters Available in Gannercial Variants Year Gross Other Entered Take-off Producing ks Manufacturer Model Service weight Weapons Nations Remar UNITED STATES 9500 0 Rockets MG's Italy, Japan ASW Version carries (2) MK44 Bell Helicopter 204 - 850 , torpedoes. Models 204 and 205 205 9500 MG's, Pockets Italy were basis for UH-1 series. Twin-engine; Multiple variations. U 222 1979 7850-8250 Ranger Lon N 206 B, L 400 1975 1986 3200-4150 5500 Italy g Jet Ranger, variations. Twin Ranger. 7 pers. agriculture, militai scue i 47 1946 2850-2950 Light Wpns; One Italy, Japan , ce re pol n in us until 1974. ti d ASW version with o uc in pro torpedoes. Hundreds exported. Hines Aviation H-2 Utility, training. Utility, training, agriculture. 2350-2600 Now made by Spitfire, Ltd. mark l Enstran F-28 ture. I & II. Utility, agricu 2350-2600 Utility, agriculture. Hiller Helic. Div. UH-12 Utility, agriculture (Military series 1948 version is H-23 Raven.) (Logerson Air- Utility Note: RH 1100 variation i:; craft) FH 1100 A 1969 planned as a low cost gunship. Hillman 360 For export. (1985) Range with maximun external fuel is over 1500 miles. Hughes 300 Italy Utility, Agriculture. Now built by Schweizer Go. Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Year Gross Entered Take-off Model Service Weight-lbs Weapons Other Producing Nations Hughes (Cont'd) 500 1969 Guns, rockets, Italy, Japan, Executive, Util., Agric. MD, MG 530 1982 AT i5, Laser target designators. Guns, rockets, Argentina are military versions. Scout/Lt. attack functions. Scout/Attack; it weather, High Robinson R22(Alpha) 1979 ATGMs Altitude capability. Training, commercial. Brantly-Hynes B-2B 1975 Resumed production (after suspensi(n) in 1983. Sikorsky S-55 1953 Great Britain (Whirl- wind) S-62 1961 Japan Search & Rescue HH-43 1958 Search & Rescue; Many exported. Piasecki 16H-34K Schentzow (Path- finder) Bee 1975 Up to 15 person capacity; Twin engine. Patrol, Recreation. Two seats. Texas Helic. Corp. Wasp 1980 A, B, C Rotor Way Scorpion Not in 1235 Kit-built, recreational. FRANCE atiale Aeros production SA 315 1972 Brazil, India Based on Alouette II design; p (Llama) greater payload. Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Year Gross Other France (Cont'd) Model Entered Service Take-off Weight-lbs Weapons Producing Nations Remarks Aerospatiale Alouette Ranania Hundreds deliveres to over II, III 1955 3630-4960 MGs, ATGMs, Torpedoes (Alouette III) 70 countries. India SA 342 (Gazelle) 1971 4415 4 I or 6 HOT Yugoslavia, Yugoslav version carries AT-3 ATGMs Egypt ATMs and SAM--7 for air-to-air. SA 365 (Dauphin2) 1979 9039 AS.15TT missiles Guns Twin-engine. Ecureuil 1978 4740-5290 Brazil Twin-engine. SA 360 (Dauphin) 1976 5953 Up to 10 pers; Cargo, Rescue. Helicopjet Helicopjet 1979 2336 4 persons. GREAT BRITAIN Westland AH MK.1 1975 9600- MGs, Cannon, France-Jointly Multi-role; Army, Navy and export (Lynx, Lynx 2) 10,000 ATGMs, Rockets, Torpedoes, Depth Charges. Developed) versions. Twin-engine. Cierva Rotocraft CR Twin 3450 Twin-engine INDIA Hindustan: Aeronautus, Ltd. Alouette 1960 4960 MGs, ATGMs, Licensed Prod. (HAL) ITALY III Torpedoes fram Aerospatal (FR) Licensed from Indian version of Llama. Aerosp. (FR) Exported to over 24 countries. Breda Nardi 269c 1972 2050 License from Trainer; Law Enforcement. (NH300C) Hughes (US) (Hughes 300) Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 Manufacturer Model Year Entered Service Gross Take-off Weight-lbs Weapons Other Producing Nations Italy (Cont'd) Breda Nardi 369d Guns, Rockets License fran Trainer; Law Enforcement. (NH500D) 1977 3000 ATGMs Hughes (US) (Hughes 500) G. Agusta AB205 1969 License from Iroquois varient. AB 206B 1966 Bell (US) License from Jet-Ranger/Lung Ranger BL1 A 109A 1977 5730 TOW, MGs Rockets Bell (US) Variants. Up to 8 pers. Twin-engine. 47G, AB47J 1954 2950 License from Police, Armed forces; High- 9500 Guns, Rockets Bell (US) License from altitude operations. Civilian & Military. Silvercraft SH-4 1965 1900 Torpedoes. Bell (US) Based on Iroquois. Police, Agriculture, Military. Meridionali EMA-124 1970 2535 JAPAN Fuji Hvy. Ind. UH1-H 1967 9500 Guns, Rockets License fran Military version. FB-204 1967 Bell (US) Civilian version. (369 HS) Guns, Rackets License from Sikorsky (US) License fran Hughes (US) Search & Rescue, Patrol. Hughes 500 Civilian version. OH-6 1977 3000 License from Hughes 500 Military version. (500 D) Hughes (US) BK 117 1981 6283 Co-devel.w/MBB Utility. Mil. version planned. (W. Germany) Version of Mil/Civil, Police, Rescue. Bell (US) Mod.47 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Year Entered Service Gross Take-off Weight-lbs POLAND Panstwowe SM-1 1955 5636 5644 Zaklady Lotnieze (PZL) SM-2 Mi-2 1965 7826 WEST GERMANY Messersclinitt- BO 105 1970 2769-3003 Boelkow-Blohn CB/LS (LS 1982) (MBB) 6283 Technik-Munchen Sky-Trac I 1969 3306 N Sky rider 1973 3306 USSR Kanov Ka-26 1970 Hoodlum) Mi-1 (Hare) Mi-2 1965 Weapons Mi-2 Military versions can carry 4 AT-3 missiles, guns, rockets. Up to 6 HOT ATGMs ATGMs, Rockets Guns Other Producing Nations Remarks License from Polish-produced Mi-1. Soviet Union Civil and military uses. License fran Twin-engine. Same with Soviet Union Allison Engines (US) Developed in Poland. LS model to be IS is It weather/high built in Canada altitude version. Twin engine Japan, Joint Twin engine. Military dupt.w/Kawasaki version planned. Agriculture, passenger, cargo Upgrade of Sky-Trac Agriculture, cargo, up to 7 passenjers. Ship-borne version operates with fishing fleets. In service in 15 countries. Poland Twin-engine. Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5 Gross Other Take-off Producing Manufacturer Model Year Weight-lbs Weapons Nations Remarks ARGENTINA Cicare CH III 1977 1760 Civilian Utility. 1-3 seats. Aeronautics RACA Colibri (now Cicare CK 1) RAGA- 1969 3000 Guns, Rockets, License from Civilian or military. Helibras Hughes 500 HB 315 1972 5070 ATGMs) Hughes (US) License from Version of Llama. Gaviao HB 350 1978 4740-520 Aerospatiale (France) Twin-engine; version of Ecureuil. YUGOSLAVIA SOKO Gazelle 1971 4415 4 TOW or 6 HOT License from ATGMs, guns, rockets. Also: SAM-7s Aerospatiale (Fr.) ROMANIA IAR 316 1968 4960 for-air-to-air combat. MGs, ATGMs License from (Alouette Torpedoes Aerospatale II) (Fr.) Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/03/08: CIA-RDP85TO1058R000304590001-5