ANDREW DOYLE / SINGAPORE
The Brunei armed forces are once again attempting to revive a long-standing requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) to help protect the country's exclusive economic zone against illegal fishing and other incursions.
The sultanate also has a requirement for helicopters to equip three offshore patrol vessels (OPV) being built in the UK, but cannot launch a tender in the near term because of budgetary constraints.
Brunei has been receiving presentations from several MPA platform and mission system suppliers in recent weeks, say industry sources. Although Brunei is still refining its requirement, it is expected that initially only one aircraft will be procured.
Likely to be considered are the EADS Casa-built CN235-300, or larger C295, equipped with the company's Fully Integrated Tactical System, while Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) is also expected to offer its version of the CN235 but needs to team with a mission system supplier. Raytheon is understood to have presented a Beech 1900D-based solution, and Bombardier could offer a Dash 8 MPA. Northrop Grumman may also team with a platform maker.
Given Brunei's financial limits, one option may be to acquire an aircraft to be equipped with a mission system at a later date.
Brunei's renewed interest in an MPA follows its abortive attempt to acquire three IAe-built CN235MPAs in the late 1990s which were to have been equipped with Raytheon APS-134 radars. ARGO System was selected as systems integrator. However only a single transport-configured CN235 was delivered, after MPA funding was withdrawn.
Two of the OPVs have already been built, with the first due for delivery next year. Up to six helicopters could eventually be required but Brunei sources say a lack of funds means that a tender launch has been delayed. Given Brunei's close links with the UK, the Agusta Westland Super Lynx is seen as a strong candidate but is likely to face competition from Sikorsky offering the S-70 Black Hawk/Seahawk - a type already in Brunei service - and Kaman with the SH-2G Super Seasprite.
Source: Flight International
