Stewart Penney/LONDON
Austria has selected the Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk to meet its utility helicopter needs, and expects to make a decision on a replacement for its elderly Saab Draken fighters next year.
The Austrian defence ministry says the helicopter contract when signed will be worth ASch2.9 billion ($183.3 million). Austria will order nine Black Hawks and take three options, says Sikorsky. The Black Hawk was competing against the Eurocopter AS532AC Cougar. The deal includes a 200% industrial offset.
Delivery of the first two machines is scheduled in the first quarter of next year, says the Austrian defence ministry. It is keen to receive the initial machines as quickly as possible so that it can convert crews from soon-to-be retired Agusta AB204s and to improve search and rescue capability should serious avalanches occur.
Those suffered by Austria in early 1998 led to the search for new helicopters because the lack of its own suitable equipment forced Austria to seek help from other countries, including Germany-based US Army UH-60 Black Hawks.
Meanwhile, the fighter shortlist to replace the Drakens includes the Dassault Mirage 2000, Lockheed Martin F-16 and Saab/BAE Systems Gripen. Although the RSK MiG-29 Fulcrum is not officially on the shortlist, Russia continues to promote the fighter.
The defence ministry says that the budget is likely to be in the region of ASch15-20 billion, with the air force seeking up to 30 aircraft. First deliveries are planned for 2004.
An Austrian source says it is important that the air force proceeds with the fighter buy as it will ease concerns about the retention of pilots and technical personnel. One reason for hastening the Black Hawk into service is to ensure that the AB204 crews and technical personnel are not tempted to leave the air force.
Source: Flight International
