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The Pakistan Army on Friday received six new Cessna aircraft, two Cessna 208 Caravan and four Cessna T-206H from the United States, said a statement released by the US Office of Defense Representative.
In April 2016, the US Department of Defence had announced it had issued a $14.9 million, fixed-price contract to Cessna Aircraft Company for making two Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft and four Cessna T-206H Stationair aircraft for Pakistan. The contract included sustainment support and associated training.
Read more: Pakistan to get six medical aircraft from US
The aircraft will be configured for medical evacuation.
The statement from the Office of Defense Representative added that the Caravan and the Stationair aircraft will strengthen Pakistan Army's air mobility by enhancing its capability to conduct medical evacuations as well as provide limited troop and equipment transport.
The Pakistan Army Aviation Corps in the statement thanked America for the "generous contribution".
"American security assistance continues to build the counter-terrorism capabilities of Pakistan's security forces."
"The US and Pakistan are stronger when we work together to combat terrorism," the statement added.
Each aircraft comes with a 24-month sustainment package, including spares, tooling, and support equipment.
The Grand Caravan EX, first shown at the Paris Airshow in 2015, is equipped with a surveillance console, medical stretcher, lightweight seats and stowable utility seat.
It accommodates up to 14 people and a load of 1,593kg.
The T206H Stationair is a smaller aircraft for six people and can take a load of 581kg.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (52) Closed
Mar 31, 2017 08:21pm
That public money should have been used for public welfare as the public paid for it because the public of a third world country can't eat and live in these first world war machines
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Mar 31, 2017 08:23pm
Cessnas are arguably the best private jets in the world. Hopefully we in IndiaPakistan make our own jets one day. Inshallah :)
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Mar 31, 2017 08:25pm
well it is just training plane.
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Mar 31, 2017 08:34pm
Another free gift from US.
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Mar 31, 2017 08:34pm
Wonder,what Pakistan will have to "Do More" in return for the US ?
Because,anything the US does, has to have sinister strings attached !
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Mar 31, 2017 08:44pm
Respond them in political "Thanks Giving" by trading some or other national interests.
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Mar 31, 2017 08:50pm
These basically have no military value. Grand Caravan is the military version, not Caravan. This is a simple transport plane that is used predominantly by FedEx in US. I don't think I have ever heard of these models being used for medical evacuation. Helos are better suited for that role.
Bottom line... it's free. So say thank you and move on to more important things.
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Mar 31, 2017 09:00pm
There is nothing as free lunch. Not sure what is expected in return or its a form of some unpaid bills.
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Mar 31, 2017 09:03pm
New direct purchase (New) from Cessna for six Cessna 206H could be purchased for around Approx USD$4.6 Million pre MSRP price. How can we rationalize and justify paying such a huge amount approx USD 15 million for the entire package.
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Mar 31, 2017 09:10pm
Another hand out for some favours in return in future. There is no such thing as FREE LUNCH.
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Mar 31, 2017 09:48pm
@Observer, These planes are part of the continuation of the fight against terror, we don't get to read about it, but it continues on.
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Mar 31, 2017 11:01pm
Thanks a lot.
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Mar 31, 2017 11:19pm
A brand new Cessna 206H costs about $700K and a brand new Caravan 208 about $2.5mil. That brings the total to $7.5 mil for all the 6 aircraft.
Also, the govt usually gets discounted rates from the manufacturer so it would not have cost them more than $6 mil total.
I'm not sure where the $14 mil price tag came from and also what we are going to 'do more' for this generous gift of $6 million !!
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Mar 31, 2017 11:49pm
@weq
read it again, This is Aid, so pakistan didnot spend money. good job pakistan for saving that money & using for public system.
We indians must remember one thing, USA is a snake
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Apr 01, 2017 01:32am
US playing double game with India and Pakistan.... provide hardwares to both the countries
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Apr 01, 2017 01:47am
Ultimately, these will be used for VVIP.
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Apr 01, 2017 01:58am
We asked for f16 tiger and they gave us doves
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Apr 01, 2017 02:01am
Cessna gift ok but F16 is a problem
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Apr 01, 2017 02:41am
American defence equipment is a liability and bad long term strategy. A Pressler Amendment is never far away. Pakistan defence tech's future is self production and chinese joint production.
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Apr 01, 2017 03:59am
@Iqbal Ali There is no such thing as a "free gift" from USA. This comes with a price tag and most likely some policies which are not in our national interest. When come to think of it, America has done a great deal to harm our national interest the past 16 years, more so then Indians.
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Apr 01, 2017 04:12am
These aircrafts will solve the water and sanitation problems in Thar, electricity shortage in the country, education system in Baluchistan, etc.
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Apr 01, 2017 04:37am
Freebies are always good.
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Apr 01, 2017 04:48am
pakistan should refuse the gift and not compromise its sovereignty
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Apr 01, 2017 05:07am
"The contract included sustainment support and associated training." that's why its over $6m.
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Apr 01, 2017 05:18am
thank you, thank you sirrrr
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Apr 01, 2017 05:37am
What a joke.
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Apr 01, 2017 05:37am
Peanuts.... what a joke
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Apr 01, 2017 06:30am
We should not accept free aid from any Nation in the world.
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Apr 01, 2017 07:17am
I see a lot of comments about jets. What jets? Both these aircrafts are turbo props configured for medivac. I am surprised at the number of people who don't have 10 seconds to Google if they don't know about something.
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Apr 01, 2017 08:12am
"Thanking for generosity" is not looking dignified, sounds like accepting charity.
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Apr 01, 2017 08:41am
There aren't any free lunches in this world...
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Apr 01, 2017 06:29pm
Ask for F16 and get Cessna?
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Apr 01, 2017 06:45pm
Us help comes at terrible costs
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Apr 01, 2017 07:23pm
@IMTIAZ ALI KHAN ignorance is bliss ! these are not jets !
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Apr 01, 2017 07:35pm
@IMTIAZ ALI KHAN In India, there are already efforts on for making indigenous aircrafts, there is already Tejas too and several other LCAs being developed. So please don't compare apples and cactuses.
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Apr 01, 2017 08:35pm
Cessna 208B and 206H are proven turboprop aircraft for medical evacuation and other purposes. They have been given by many militaries, including Iraq, enemy of USA, which had waged two wars against USA. Iraq Air Force also received F-16 jets from USA, besides a trillion dollars in economic aid. Its strange that being enemy of USA is more profitable, than being a friend of USA.
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Apr 01, 2017 08:53pm
Us help comes at terrible costs
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Apr 01, 2017 09:13pm
Pakistan Army is the best army in the entire world.
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Apr 02, 2017 06:45am
@Samar Love your sense of humour!!
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Apr 02, 2017 06:51am
Lobbying efforts are beginning to payoff!
No songs or public praise for the USA, however.
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Apr 02, 2017 08:06am
A sincere reward for Pakistan, from President Trump in place of F-16s.
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Apr 02, 2017 09:48am
@Ali
It's strange for corrupt people. Look at Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China and some European nations. They used their resources smartly and grow their economies. We on the other hand had good relationship with US but looked at enemies more than we should have looked after the development of the nation.
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Apr 02, 2017 10:22am
Thank you USA!
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Apr 02, 2017 11:06am
A generous donation! This is the best way for you to think and feel good about it!!
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Apr 02, 2017 12:17pm
what did the chinese give free?
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Apr 02, 2017 12:50pm
@Iqbal Ali there is no such as a free gift. It's quite possible the Cessna company had no orders, going bankrupt so the US Govt . Stepped in to rescue the company temporarily . Now I believe that's how you guys got your unwanted planes.
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Apr 02, 2017 04:14pm
These planes are best suited for private use. Im sure it will be put to Good PRIVATE use.
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Apr 03, 2017 02:59am
Indonesia will test their indigenous 19 seater turboprop next month.
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Apr 03, 2017 07:26am
@weq this is coming for Free.
For once appreciate something!
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Apr 03, 2017 09:13am
There is a saying in America that 'there is no free lunch', hence people of Pakistan are paying for it one way or another.
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Apr 03, 2017 11:47am
Pakistan is no longer Interested in F-16 . Block 3 JF-17 is far better then F-16. In fact Pakistan is not even buying J-10 Which china has offered Pakistan. According to western media J-10 is more superior the F-16 block 50+
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Apr 03, 2017 06:53pm
@Indoaryan... Do some research before making inane comments like this. Cessna is owned by Textron... Ranked 209th on the Fortune 500 list of companies.
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