Tuesday 21 October 2008

PEMBELIAN EUROCOPTER : AKU MASIH BOLEH BERFIKIR

I have made a decision not to comment too much on what's happening or should have happened in this country. I can rave and rant about everything that is not right but in the end, it will be like the proverbial anjing menyalak bukit. I can barked all I want at the bukit but the bukit will still be there, long after my barkings has gone kaput.

However, try as I might, there are times when I just have to say something. Not that what I say will influence or change a particular event that irks me but just so to make sure that I am still a sane and rational guy when all others around me appears to have gone bonkers. It's just like pinching oneself to make sure that one is not dreaming.

While driving home this evening of October 21st 2008, I caught a snippet of comment by our Deputy Prime Minister on Radio 24. The Deputy PM remarked that in making defence purchases there are other intangible factors and not cost alone that should be looked into in making a decision to buy. He was of course referring to the controversy surrounding the decision to purchase Eurocopters at a cost that's approximately RM 1.5 bllion more than helicopters of a similar specifications.

As one whose paper qualifications is slightly higher than the Senior Cambridge O level, I 100% agrees that there are intangible factors like a company's reputation, availabilty of spare parts, etc, that should be look into when a decision to accquire defence equiptment is made.

I for one knew that there are differences between a Kancil and a BMW 5 series when making a decision to buy a car. But we are not making comparisons between a Kancil and a BMW here. We are deciding whether to buy a Toyota Lexus, a BMW, a Volvo or a Mercedes. All are made by reputable firms. All have the bells and whistles to satisfy a professional and discerning driver. Shouldn't you then buy a cheaper option that meets your requirement rather than buy the more expensive marquee. Unless of course you are not buying it with your own hard earned cash.

Yes, of course. Go ahead with the intangible considerations but pray that the intangible factors does not have a hidden agenda behind it.

Remember, this is just for thoughts and just to check that I have not loss my thinking ability.







1 comment:

Hanafee said...

This made me think...

So i googled it and found some interesting facts... you be the judge ok???

Specifications (Cougar EC 725) MALAYSIA
General characteristics

* Crew: 2 (pilot + co-pilot)
* Capacity: 1 chief of stick + 28 troop seats
* Length: 19.50 m (63.98 ft)
* Rotor diameter: 16.20 m (53.14 ft)
* Height: 4.60 m (15.09 ft)
* Empty weight: 5,330 kg (11,750 lb)
* Loaded weight: 11,000 kg (24,250 lb)
* Useful load: 5,670 kg (12,500 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 11,200 kg (24,700 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× Turbomeca Makila 1A4 turboshafts, 1,800 kW (2,413 shp) each

Performance

* Never exceed speed: 324 km/h, 201 mph (175 kts)
* Maximum speed: 324 km/h, 201 mph (175 kts)
* Cruise speed: 285 km/h, 177 mph (154 kts)
* Range: 857 km, 532 mi (463 nm)
* Service ceiling 6,095 m (20,000 ft)
* Rate of climb: 3.6 m/s (710 ft/min)


Compared to


Specifications (Cougar EC 725) BRAZIL
General characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Capacity: 24 troop seats
* Length: 19.50 m (63.98 ft)
* Rotor diameter: 16.20 m (53.14 ft)
* Height: 4.60 m (15.09 ft)
* Empty weight: 5,330 kg (11,750 lb)
* Loaded weight: 10,000 kg (22,000 lb)
* Useful load: 5,670 kg (12,500 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 10,500 kg (23, 100 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× Turbomeca Makila 1A4 turboshafts, 1,800 kW (2,413 shp) each

Performance

* Never exceed speed: 278 km/h (150 knots, 173 mph)
* Maximum speed: 249 km/h (134 knots, 154 mph)
* Cruise speed: 239 km/h (129 knots, 148 mph)
* Range: 573 km (310 nm, 357 mi)
* Service ceiling 3,450 m (11,319 ft)
* Rate of climb: 7.2 m/s (1,417 ft/min)



p/s - hermmm subjective isnt it? :)