Afghan Mi-17s
At times, our government has to enter into dealings with shady folks. It usually has to do with the lesser of two evils. And in hindsight, in looking back at it historically, it makes us look like we are compromising our values. Hosni Mubarak was one such indivudual, but there were far worse options.
All things considered, why are we doing business with Rosoboronexport? A Russian company supplying arms to the Syrians?
Incensed by the unending bloodshed in Syria, the House backed an amendment by Rep. Jim Moran, R-Va., that would bar the Pentagon from contracts, cooperative agreements and loans with Rosoboronexport, a Russian state-controlled arms export company that is providing weapons to the Syrian government. The vote was 407-5.
The Defense Department has bought 33 dual-use Mi-17 helicopters for the Afghan military from the company, including an order for 10 aircraft last week. The no-bid contract for aircraft and spare parts is worth $640 million.
Seriously? Teach the pilots on American helicopters. This does not seem hard.
We did the same thing in Iran, Iraq, and many other countries and still doing so now. We are training our future enemies. Even at home. At a civilian police academy I attended last year, they showed us pictures of our Army and Marines posing for home pictures showing gang signs. One instructor from LA told us that many of the gangs are raising their kids to have a clean records so they can get into the military to get combat and weapons training. Then they come back and as high ranking members or take over neighborhood gangs. I did have some reservations in this in that how could anyone go through the four years and not learn some honorable things, too. But what do I know?
Is it called Outsourcing when this administration does it?
CP: That is very unfortunate about the gangs.
NavyDavy: Yes, I guess so, right?
A flipside of this is that by training and equipping the Afghans with Russian helicopters, we are providing them with what they already have or already know. Same goes with Iraq. The governments of those countries had a lot of old Russian equipment, which means their pilots, ground crews, etc., all have knowledge of what it takes to employ, service, and supply them.
Also, outside of the first world, getting parts for Chinooks or Blackhawks is a lot more difficult than getting them for MI-8′s and MI-17′s. This will allow the Afghani’s to more easily take care of themselves when we stop footing the bill for them.
One final thought. Giving or selling more advanced American aircraft to them could backfire on us after the Karzai regime falls in the aftermath of our withdrawal. My example would be the F-14′s that are still being flown by Iran. By supplying less sophisticated technology to shaky allies, we guard against having to fight against it at a later date.
Hmm, good point. Well thought out answer. I stand (sit) corrected.