Our tax dollars at work.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/11/12/how_to_buy_a_russian_helicopter

That's a tuff one to swallow

I wonder if any of the U.S. helicopter company's were even given the chance to entertain the idea of making a helicopter or beefing up a currant production helicopter that's more suited for Afganastan's terrian?

That's a lot of money to spend in another country when our own economy and unemployment is still in shambles.

This is what will happen with Victor Bout, the black market Russian arms dealer in US custody now awaiting trial. He will plea bargain his way out by offering to cut through the red tape involved in the US directly purchasing Russian helicopters. He can underbid the Russian government on those choppers with his big box store prices and provide some taxpayer relief. It will be a good deal for the US and also save an expensive trial at taxpayer expense. We will call it the Deficit Reduction Act of 2010 and Victor will make a few bucks on the side. Seems to fit with the overall scheme of things.

58Skylane wrote:That's a lot of money to spend in another country when our own economy and unemployment is still in shambles.

My thoughts, exactly. A billion thrown away here, a billion thrown away there, it really adds up. Russian helicopters, European windmills, ethanol, TSA, unaccounted missing funds to rebuild Iraq, and on and on.

I suspect that the U.S. government has become the equivalent of a chronic alcoholic. They won't give up the bottle until they've hit absolute rock bottom, and possibly not even then.

Back in the 1980's, them Hind helo's kicked ass in Afghanistan until we supplied the mujahideen with shoulder-fired stinger missiles. That really turned the tide & led to the Soviet's retreat. Read "Charley Wilson's War" or or watch the movie.