Eurocopter and the Canadian government are at legal loggerheads over the latter's procurement exercise to replace its coast guard helicopter fleet.
Ottawa kicked off the campaign in 2012 as it seeks to update its fleet of ageing Bell Helicopter and MBB types with up to 28 new rotorcraft. This is split into two separate requirements for 16-20 light- and four-to-eight medium-weight helicopters.
Eurocopter and AgustaWestland both initially expressed an interest in the light element of the contest but neither put forward an offer. This left Bell as the only bidder with its 429, although Ottawa is at pains to stress that a contract has yet to be awarded.
But Marseille-based Eurocopter has now turned to the courts, alleging the tender favoured Bell.
It says: "Further to a tender issued by the Canadian government which we consider was discriminating, Eurocopter Canada has decided to launch a legal recourse before the Federal Court of Canada."
Procurement body Public Works and Government Services Canada maintains the process was entirely fair. It declined to comment further.
Transport Canada is one of the few civil aviation regulators to have granted the 429 an exemption to allow it to operate at a higher weight than other Part 27 helicopters.
Source: Flight International
