MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Twelve “Cobra” choppers for Argentina

Twelve “Cobra” choppers for Argentina

An Argentine Army elite air assault unit will be receiving twelve American "Cobra" attack helicopters under the US Foreign Military Sales program.The first units are expected to arrive in early 2002 and are part of an air assault battalion set up with US assistance and equipment including transport helicopters and light Hammer vehicles.

Under the Foreign Military Sales program, friendly and reliable countries benefit by only having to pay for transport and conditioning expenses.Argentine ground forces are undergoing a rapid transformation from the classic and traditional concept of war to fast deployment units that can be committed to United Nations operations.

According to the Argentine press one of the first units of the new defense policy is Commando Battalion 602, furnished with American hardware and which was reviewed by former US Chief of Staff Lt. General Henry Shelton during a visit to Argentina last January.

"We face asymmetrical security challenges such as transnational organized crime, drugs, terrorism and we must consider them in a regional context", said Lt. General Shelton to his Argentine hosts, adding prophetically, "we must prepare for an era that could be characterized by terrorism, ethnic conflict and the threat of chemical weapons".