MILITARY PURCHASES OF CIVILIAN HELICOPTERS
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP85T01058R000304590001-5
Release Decision:
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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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
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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.
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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.)
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