Stewart Penney/LONDON
Algeria has an emerging requirement for up to 12 maritime surveillance aircraft. Political considerations mean the North African country could request bids only from European countries.
The requirement could be met by a medium twin-turboprop, with ATR, British Aerospace and Casa among the likely bidders.
Algeria - which has several surveillance requirements - was a client of the Soviet Union, and almost its entire inventory consists of Russian aircraft built in the 1960s and 1970s. The country also has historical links with France.
ATR partner Alenia has developed a maritime surveillance version of the ATR42 twin turboprop, the Italian customs service has ordered two and the Italian coast guard a further example. CASA offers maritime patrol versions of the C212, the CN235 and is developing a C295-based surveillance aircraft. The former is in service with the Surinam and Spanish air forces while the Irish Air Corps operates two CN235s.
BAe would probably offer Saab 340s with a Marconi Electronic Systems mission system. Saab 340 production has ceased and ex-airline aircraft would be sought for conversion. Marconi's system would be based on the Seaspray 7000 radar which incorporates aspects of the Seaspray 3000 and the Blue Kestrel, in service with the UK Royal Navy's EH Industries Merlin helicopters. It also offers synthetic aperture radar and moving target indicator capabilities. BAe says it is reviewing its business opportunities in Algeria.
Source: Flight International
