PETER LA FRANCHI / CANBERRA
Service plans to retain Kiowas for interim basic pilot training until at least 2007
The Australian Army is to pursue its own outsourcing arrangement for the supply of helicopter pilot training rather than proceeding with a combined commercial deal with the Royal Australian Navy.
The army will also retain itsBell206B Kiowas as an interim basic training helicopter until at least 2007, along with a number of Bell UH-1H Iroquois, although these will be operated and maintained by the winning company.
Bids for the army requirement, however, will probably be restricted to the winner of the Air 9000 competition for a long-term strategic partner to manage the rationalisation of the Australian Defence Force helicopter fleet.
A decision on an Air 9000 preferred candidate is expected by mid-December. The bidders are Boeing, teamed with Sikorsky; Eurocopter; and AgustaWestland/ BAE Systems Australia.
The army says decisions on whether to run a restricted or open competition depend on whether the Air 9000 tender demonstrates that a long-term strategic helicopter industry arrangement is commercially viable. If not, an open competition will proceed with a draft statement of work released for industry comment within the next three months.
A formal competition launch would follow between October and December, with tenders closing around March-April next year. A contract would be finalised by the third quarter of 2004.
Regardless of the selection method, the army wants the training service provider to begin operations late next year or in early 2005, in parallel to the introduction into Australian service of the Eurocopter Tiger.
The Australian Defence Force has been exploring combining army and navy helicopter training for the past two years. A competition had been expected to be launched midway through last year, but was deferred because of difficulties in merging the service's specific requirements and stepped up planning for Air 9000.
The RAN still requires a twin-engined replacement for its Eurocopter AS 350BA Squirrels, with planning also dependent on the outcome of the Air 9000process.
Source: Flight International
