South Korea's renewed drive to meet a longstanding army requirement for an attack helicopter has drawn responses from seven Russian, South African, US and Western European aerospace manufacturers.
The South Korean defence ministry has given rival helicopter suppliers until 24 August to submit initial proposals. The Government expects to issue a formal request for proposals (RFP) by December to a preselected list of contenders and to launch a final evaluation and selection process in April 1999.
According to a ministry official, there was a total of seven replies to a recent invitation to register for its heavy attack helicopter programme. They are Agusta (A129 Mangusta), Bell (four-blade AH-1Z SuperCobra), Boeing (AH-64D Longbow Apache), Denel (CSH-2 Rooivalk), Eurocopter (Tiger), Kamov (Ka-50 Werewolf) and Sikorsky (S-70 armed Black Hawk).
The pre-RFP requirement specifies a twin-turboshaft machine, equipped with avionics and sensors for all-weather navigation and target acquisition and designation. The helicopter should be fitted with turret-mounted cannon and radar jammer/countermeasures and be capable of carrying anti-tank missiles, short range air-to-air missiles, 70mm rockets and external auxiliary fuel tanks.
Based on earlier stated requirements, the South Korean army initially needs about 18 helicopters, although ultimately that figure could rise to 48 aircraft. There is still a questionmark over procurement funding as, with no provision in the existing budget, it is unlikely that the cash will be found before 2000. Programme officials, however, do not expect to complete selection and contractual negotiations much before the end of 1999.
South Korea's attack helicopter requirement has been the subject of continual delay since 1992, when it failed to sign a US Congress approved letter of offer and acceptance for 37 AH-64A Apaches and 777 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, worth $997 million.
Meanwhile, the army is still searching for funding to order a third batch of 60-80 S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopters to supplement its earlier 130 South Korean licence-built machines. After nearly eight years of delay, the army's light helicopter programme is finally moving ahead, with Daewoo due to deliver the first of 12 Eurocopter B0105s in 2000.
Source: Flight International
