Thailand is considering acquiring additional AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 helicopters to meet a new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) requirement. The Thai navy received its first two Super Lynxes at the end of last year, but they are only equipped for training and utility missions.
Bangkok has not yet ordered any additional aircraft but industry sources expect two more Super Lynx 300s to be funded in the budget for the fiscal year that began on 1 October and up to another four aircraft may be acquired later.
The first batch of additional helicopters may be delivered in 2007 and come equipped with mission suites for ASW and search and rescue (SAR). The Thai navy is developing an ASW requirement in conjunction with the delivery of new frigates and has begun evaluating potential mission equipment. The initial two aircraft may be retrofitted with an ASW suite, but more likely they will continue to be used only for training and transport with the six additional aircraft dedicated to ASW and SAR.
The Thai navy now flies SAR and utility missions using land-based Sikorsky UH-60s, but does not operate any helicopters at sea and has no ASW capability. The UK Royal Navy is now helping the Thai navy prepare for sea-based helicopter operations, which will begin at the end of next year, by training an initial group of six pilots.
“They’ve got sophisticated ships. They’ve got sophisticated helicopters. Our job here is to put them together at their request. We’re helping them get to that next step, to operate helicopters at sea,” says Royal Navy instructor pilot Lt Cdr Mark Scott.
The Royal Navy last month completed a similar training assignment with the Malaysian navy, which is now operating six Super Lynx 300s from ships and may also acquire up to four more helicopters if plans to acquire additional offshore patrol vessels are executed.
Source: Flight International
