Japanese Apache AH-64D

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Member for

21 years

Posts: 3,328

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20070826-00000009-jijp-soci.view-000
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20070826-00000914-san-pol
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20070826-00000022-jij-soci
reported:

JGSDF AH-64D debuted at Fuji Combined Firepower Exercise, at Higashi Fuji exercise range, Shizuoka Prefecture, on 26 August 2007.

Personnel, about 2,000 people.
Type 90 main battle tanks and other ground vehicles, about 60 units.
Artillery, about 40 units.
Helicopters and other aircraft, about 20 units.
Ammunitions, about 39 tons.
Costs, 310 million Yen.
Duration, about 1.5 hours.
Visitors, about 24,000 people.

Member for

21 years

Posts: 3,328

http://www.media-eyes.com/index/0315_news.html

Additional photos of JGSDF AH-64D #1 acceptance ceremony, at Fuji Heavy Industries Utsunomiya, on 15 March 2006... but can't seem to see any Shintou Miko (priestess) in red and white robes. 8(

Member for

18 years

Posts: 55

Japan to halt AH-64D Apache orders after 13th airframe
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/10/216559/japan-to-halt-ah-64d-apache-orders-after-13th-airframe.html

The Japan Aviation News also reported the brief news about the revision of the acquision plan of the AH-64D.

There has been a rumor about the AH-64D on Japanese military web forums that the JGSDF may stop the AH-64D orders after 14th.
It seems to me that the bad rumors about the AH-64D has turned out to be true.

Member for

17 years 3 months

Posts: 445

Japan to halt AH-64D Apache orders after 13th airframe
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/09/10/216559/japan-to-halt-ah-64d-apache-orders-after-13th-airframe.html

The Japan Aviation News also reported the brief news about the revision of the acquision plan of the AH-64D.

There has been a rumor about the AH-64D on Japanese military web forums that the JGSDF may stop the AH-64D orders after 14th.
It seems to me that the bad rumors about the AH-64D has turned out to be true.

What are the bad rumors? Can you elaborate?

Member for

21 years

Posts: 10,217

What are the bad rumors? Can you elaborate?
He probably means poor survivalability and ability to withstand battle damage, as well as dubious reliability in desert conditions.
But from what I know, the Japanese decision to cut Apaches was strictly of financial nature. Apaches are expensive to procure, maintain and operate.

Member for

18 years

Posts: 55

What are the bad rumors? Can you elaborate?

The rumors are as folows:

The running cost of a AH-64D is as much expensive as that of a F-15J.

The engines are easy to access for maintaince at the expense of the durability of the engines ,and the short life span engines make the AH-64D more expensive to use.

The Air-to-Air Stinger is difficlut to use in fact.

The 2nd generation FLIR device and other observatopn devices are getting out of date.

The date-link system dose not accommodate the Japanese indigenous systems.

To improve these conditions is difficult due to the contractual restrictions imposed on the JSDF.

Member for

21 years

Posts: 3,328

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20071219-00000934-san-pol

Wednesday, 19 December 2007:
A new JGSDF AH-64D can cost up to 21.6 billion Yen each, twice the cost of a jet fighter.
As of 2007, JGSDF has acquired 10 AH-64D, since 2002. Intended to replace 84 AH-1S by 62 AH-64D.

JGSDF AH-64D initial cost is 6 billion Yen.
Because some parts are domestic manufactured, cost becomes 8.3 billion Yen, by fiscal year 2008.
This year, Boeing discontinues AH-64D production. JGSDF may acquire total 13 AH-64D.
If include equipment (machinery) investments by domestic makers to license-produce AH-64D, a new JGSDF AH-64D can cost up to 21.6 billion Yen each.

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20 years

Posts: 400

Zulu Cobra, anyone?

Member for

21 years

Posts: 3,328

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/20071222TDY04303.htm

"Rising costs force govt to scrap plan to buy attack helicopters"

(Dec. 22, 2007)
The Yomiuri Shimbun

The government has abandoned plans to purchase an AH-64D Apache attack helicopter that the Defense Ministry had hoped to include in the next fiscal budget after the cost of the helicopter rose from an initial 8.3 billion yen per unit to 21.6 billion yen.

Member for

19 years 3 months

Posts: 3,614

Zulu Cobra, anyone?

Why not... the Marines thought that was the better way to go.

That way, they will already be marinized for use from the Oosumi class LSTs and the Hyuga class DDHs.

Member for

18 years 9 months

Posts: 5,267

He probably means poor survivalability and ability to withstand battle damage, as well as dubious reliability in desert conditions.
But from what I know, the Japanese decision to cut Apaches was strictly of financial nature. Apaches are expensive to procure, maintain and operate.

I must admit I have pondered the financial nature of the Apache issue in Japan and I do see it as odd.

Considering the gold plated nature of the Japanese armed forces its a surprising line to take. They are happy to fork out for state of the art (take there desire for F22) yet balk at the Apache prices makes you wonder.

Member for

21 years

Posts: 3,328

(Note: ROK news, not Japan news.)

http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=7244

"U.S. Offers to Sell 36 Apache Helicopters to S. Korea at 60 percent of Tag Price"

Sunday, September 14, 2008
The Seoul Times

The United States has offered to sell 36 used Apache attack helicopters to South Korea at less than 60 percent of the out-of-factory price, with upgrades to replace most of their critical parts, including the frame and engine, Yonhap News reported on Sept. 14.

Member for

21 years

Posts: 3,328

Japan air no-show again.

http://jp.reuters.com/article/domesticJPNews/idJPJAPAN-11301520090902

2 September 2009:
After JMOD decreases its order of AH-64Ds from 62 to 10, Fuji Heavy Industries wants the JMOD to refund the related fee.
In 2001, the JMOD decided to purchase 62 AH-64Ds to replace AH-1Ss, but as each AH-64D costs 6 bil Yen (64,882,401.60 USD), after the 10 AH-64Ds in 2002-2007, the JMOD wants to abort the rest of the order.

OTOH, Fuji has already paid to Boeing, the full amount of license fees for 62 AH-64Ds, which couldn't be refunded. Fuji wants the JMOD to pay back 50 bil Yen (540,862,140.00 USD) in 2-3 months, or it will sue.

(AFAIK, an US Army AH-64D costs roughly 35 mil USD, a few years ago. And no, I'm not a shareholder of these companies.)

Member for

15 years 3 months

Posts: 421

Does anyone know of a breakdown of cost for the Apache? I never quite understood why it is so expensive. Personally i would think Japan would be better going into a development deal with south korea and developing their own attack helicopter that meets their requirements. If they didn't want to start from scratch they could use the engine and gear box of a previous helicopter or use one of the other attack helicopters as a starting point. Say the A-129 or the tiger or the south african attack helicopter.

Member for

15 years 3 months

Posts: 1,142

Does anyone know of a breakdown of cost for the Apache? I never quite understood why it is so expensive. Personally i would think Japan would be better going into a development deal with south korea and developing their own attack helicopter that meets their requirements. If they didn't want to start from scratch they could use the engine and gear box of a previous helicopter or use one of the other attack helicopters as a starting point. Say the A-129 or the tiger or the south african attack helicopter.

I think the main reason why Apache is more than similar helicopters (Tiger etc) is because people forget that whilst they look similar, that big bulge above the rotors of the Apache does a lot of fancy things that the competitors don't seem to do.

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21 years

Posts: 3,328

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=anCV5fXnWRIM

"Fuji Heavy to Ask Defense Ministry for Compensation, Asahi Says"

By Tak Kumakura

Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. will ask Japan's Defense Ministry for almost 50 billion yen ($538 million) in compensation after the ministry canceled a plan to buy helicopters, the Asahi newspaper said.

Member for

14 years 11 months

Posts: 2

JGSDF AH-64DJP

Hi All

Can someboby confirm that the JGSDF is only going to get/have 10 x AH-64DJP's? I understand that further order has ceased after 10 x helo's. I've also picked up reports (but this could be before announcement) of 13/14 x helo's. Either way really sorry to hear about it comming down from 50 x helo's. Think JGSDF would be interested in the SA Rooivalk is price was right? Oh yes, if any kind soul has/knows of where I can get pics of 74503 / 74508 / 74509 and 74510, please let me know. Contemplating a 1/48 AH-64DJP modeling project.

Kind Regards
GlennD

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 4,951

How comparable is AH-1Z to the AH-64D?