4 ms·

How much does helicopter upkeep cost? What are the intangible benefits to having "buy what you expect to need" instilled as a value throughout a massive organiz

• dsr_ 13y ago
  Helicopter maintenance is expensive, and training mechanics and repair technicians is also expensive. Not having a spare machine when you really need it is expensive, too. And on the gripping hand, how many wars is Germany planning to fight with helicopters in significant roles?
  • hga 13y ago
    Transport helicopters are a sine qua non of a modern military, and combat ones are really, really handy. Turn the question around: can you imagine any deployment of the Bundeswehr where they wouldn't need transport helicopters (the NH90 mentioned in the article)? This most particularly includes humanitarian missions, e.g. the usual suspects ridiculed the US for sending a carrier battle group to help survivors of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, not realizing they have both "nuclear powered" fresh water distillers and lots of helicopters that can transport water, food etc. (ADDED: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_response_to_the_2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake#Americas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_response_to_the_20... says a total of 48 helicopters were involved in our military relief effort, of course from many ships.)
  • dccoolgai 13y ago
    When has Germany having a surplus of military power ever not worked out for everyone?