Joseph mum on Israeli military purchase plan

NATIONAL Security Minister Martin Joseph was tight-lipped on Sunday as to whether or not Government has taken a decision to purchase military helicopters from Israel to bolster Trinidad and Tobago’s security capabilities. Joseph said he could not disclose details of a Cabinet-sub meeting which occurred just prior to the end of 2005. However, he reiterated Government’s commitment to continue to provide the nation’s security forces with the necessary resources required to effectively and efficiently perform their duty. Joseph added that Prime Minister Patrick Manning stressed this point in his New Year’s message to the nation. In the message, Manning said Government had pledged to improve the capabilities of law enforcement agencies with more manpower, equipment, training and technology. “We shall relentlessly pursue our present strategies and develop new ones, and we shall not rest until we have succeeded in our efforts to significantly reduce the level of crime in TT,” Manning declared.

The Prime Minister visited Israel in November 2005 as part of a series of overseas engagements he had during that month. On his return home, Manning indicated that he had examined a number of security assets while in Israel with a view to determining what the country needed to enhance its security capabilities. Manning revealed that naval vessels and military helicopters were some of the Israeli security assets he examined. Among military helicopters which the Israeli armed forces currently possess are the American made AH-64 Apache, AH64D Apache Longbow, AH-1 Cobra and UH-60 Black Hawk. Respectively code named “Mamba” and “Seraph” by the Israelis, the AH-64 and AH64D helicopters have proven themselves in combat situations in Panama, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan from 1989 to 2003. The AH-64 has a combat range of 482 km, maximum speed of 365 km/h and possesses a M230 30 mm cannon (1,200 rounds of ammunition per minute), hellfire, stinger, side-winder and sidearm missiles, and hydra 70 rockets.

Compared to the AH-64, AH64D has improved sensor and weapon systems which allow it to locate targets even while hidden, and its armaments are similar to the AH 64. The AH 64 and AH64D are manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Corporation of the US and are sold on the international market at costs ranging from US$14.5 million (TT$89.9 million) and US$56.25 million (TT$348 million) respectively. The Cobra and Black Hawk also have proven combat track records with the latter having the dual functions of an assault and troop transport. Government has already acquired a coastal radar system from Israel which is now operational and is in the process of acquiring three offshore patrol vessels and six fast inshore patrol vessels for the Coast Guard.