Chile could be forced to abandon its plans to acquire a joint utility helicopter for its air force, army, navy and national police force after receiving conflicting technical requirements from the individual services.
The defence ministry is considering acquiring two aircraft types to meet national requirements, having previously planned the purchase of a common fleet of 30-36 helicopters worth about $200 million over the next decade.
Chilean defence minister Jaime Ravinet says the operational needs of the air force and army point towards a mid-sized utility helicopter, but the navy and police want a light utility helicopter. The police force’s requirements could lead to a selection before year-end.
In the late 1990s, the air force and army were set to replace their Bell UH-1H and Eurocopter AS 330 Puma fleets, but budget cuts halted their plans.
Types now believed to be contesting the combined utility helicopter requirement include the Eurocopter EC135T1 and AS532 Cougar, the Mil Mi-17 and Sikorsky’s UH-60 Black Hawk.
Source: Flight International
