NATO leases out? Helicopters to be rented...

In an unprecedented move, NATO this weekend approved money to lease cargo helicopters for the alliance's transport needs --  a move made necessary because members of the alliance again refused to provide airlift out of their own military assets.

The diplomats were careful not to assign blame, but Canada's Globe and Mail notes that  "Italy, Spain and France are among the Western European countries with large numbers of big, modern helicopters protected by sophisticated anti-missile defences and flown by highly trained crews." Canada, which has relied upon it allies' helicopters to support its operations in Kandahar, would stand the most to gain from a boost in transport capacity.

The airlift shortfall has long been an issue, and came to a head this summer when the US extended the tour of a helicopter unit in Kandahar until the end of the year. The helicopters -- which may be leased from Ukraine and Russia -- will mostly fill this gap and permit the coalition's other helicopters to transport troops and evacuate the wounded.

Some argue that having additional airlift will make coalition troops safer, since many of the casualties in Afghanistan have come from roadside bombs. However, using helicopters is often just as risky: since 2001, 18 helicopters have gone down in Afghanistan, resulting in 110 deaths. So it should come as no surprise that many NATO allies are reluctant to risk their airmen.

The alternatives, however, come at a high cost, both in Euros and credibility. According to the Globe and Mail:

The cost of chartering large helicopters is expected to be very high. At standard commercial rates, an Mi-17 - the civilian version of the widely used and rugged Russian workhorse capable of lifting four tonnes - could exceed $100,000 a week, yet fly far less than the punishing days endured by U.S., British and Dutch crews. Given the high costs of maintenance and the premium civilian pilots can be expected to demand for risking their lives, the cost could easily soar. A flock of 20 Mi-17s or a smaller number of the even larger Mi-26s, might cost more than $100-million a year, one industry source said.

Secretary Robert Gates resigned himself to the move, even if his frustration showed in responding to reporters that "it's not the best option. It may be the only option." (More excerpts from his transcript below...) MORE

Image: Troops board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Daychopan district on their way back to Kandahar Army Air Field on Sept. 4, 2003. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle Davis.

Q Mr. Secretary, the Dutch are complaining about the huge costs
of their operation in the south.

SEC. GATES: Who is? I'm sorry.

Q The Dutch. But has there been any talk of financial
burden-sharing today?

SEC. GATES: No, there hasn't been. There's been some
conversation, given the shortage of helicopter assets, whether there
might be some pooling of resources for that purpose, for that specific
purpose. But there was not any discussion of financial support along the
lines you suggest today.

Q Mr. Secretary, were there naysayers in the group? There is a
report that at least one major country says: Enough of these demands for
more forces; we need to go more with the softer side of it.

SEC. GATES: No, I don't recall anybody saying that today.

Q The German minister is quoted as having said that.

SEC. GATES: I -- he did not -- I do not recall him saying that in
the meeting.

Q Is the leasing option still considered the best option on the
table right now for that kind of operation?

SEC. GATES: Well, my view is, it's not the best option. It may be
the only option.

Q What would be the best option?

SEC. GATES: The best option would be that other countries that
have helicopter assets that could be used would be provided. That seems
to be very difficult. And I do grant the fact that ordinary helicopters
don't work very well in Afghanistan, just because of the altitude and so
on. So it does require helicopters that have upgraded capabilities.

But I support the lease option, as opposed to not fulfilling the
requirement at all.