Rooivalk cancelled by Denel

CAPE TOWN — Struggling arms maker Denel has been given an R8bn vehicle contract lifeline by Armscor. This comes hard on the heels of its failure to win a bid to supply Turkey with Rooivalk helicopters.

Denel has now decided that the Rooivalk, on whose development the government spent R8bn, is not commercially viable and it will not spend any new money on the helicopters.

Armscor and the defence department will now have to decide whether to subsidise the maintenance of Denel’s Rooivalk capability so that it can continue servicing the 12 helicopters bought by the South African Air Force over their 25-year lifespan.

link

Its a shame however i thought it was a great helo?

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[edit on 25/5/2007 by Mirthful Me]

China has a new attack helicopter which looks suspiciously like the Rooivalk. Is it possible that the pay off was to prevent technology transfer to China ?

The Rooivalk is based on the Puma/Tiger which is produced under license in Indonesia. Indonesia and China have collaborative trade ties and a mutual defence pact.

Originally posted by sy.gunson
The Rooivalk is based on the Puma/Tiger

The Rooivalk's airframe is based on the Alouette III airframe.
www.answers.com...

No its not. Even your own link makes that clear....

The Atlas XH-1 Alpha was developed from an Alouette III airframe, retaining that helicopter's engine and dynamic components, but replacing the original cockpit with a stepped tandem one, ............It should be noted however that the XH-1 and Rooivalk are completely different aircraft and share no components

The Rooivalk is definitelty based on a much modified SA330 Puma, just as SY Gunson says.

Originally posted by sy.gunson
China has a new attack helicopter which looks suspiciously like the Rooivalk. Is it possible that the pay off was to prevent technology transfer to China ?

The Rooivalk is based on the Puma/Tiger which is produced under license in Indonesia. Indonesia and China have collaborative trade ties and a mutual defence pact.

Chinese WZ-10 was fitted engine licence under Canada, so the size will be similar with Mongusta, whereas the Rooivalk is the heaviest attacker Helicopter in this world.