The Belgian army plans to replace its 32 Aerospatiale Alouette II light helicopters from 2004 with 15-19 new machines and is also searching for a medium to heavylift transport helicopter.
The army uses 27 Alouette IIs for liaison and the rest for training. They have been in service since 1960 and their age is causing maintenance problems.
The new small type will take over observation, reconnaissance and liaison roles from the army's principal helicopter, the Agusta A109BA. A smaller, lighter helicopter will be cheaper to operate.
Belgium's need for a rotary wing transport has been demonstrated during the deployment of its army as part of the NATO operation in Kosovo, where road transport has proved time-consuming and in many cases impractical.
The Belgian army sees a need for at least eight heavy transport helicopters to allow the rapid deployment of an infantry company or an anti-tank platoon around a battlefield. Although it declines to name potential candidates, both the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and the Eurocopter Cougar could be contenders because both are operated by neighbouring Netherlands. The two countries regularly operate together and choosing one of these machines would aid interoperability.
Meanwhile, the Belgian army continues to plan the retirement of its 10 fixed-wing Britten-Norman Islanders by 2005. The Islanders' duties will be assumed by the army's 46 A109BAs. These are expected to receive a mid-life update in 2007 which will include the integration of a new generation of anti-tank missile, replacing the TOW2A and Helitow 2.
Source: Flight International
