The German Government is to buy seven GKN Westland Super Lynx helicopters for the German navy. Final contract signing is expected by the middle of October.
The new helicopters will be designated Super Lynx Mk88As, and will serve alongside 17 Sea Lynx Mk 88s. According to the German defence ministry, the deal is worth DM312.5 million ($205 million), including spares and support.
Discussions are continuing on an upgrade of the navy's Mk88 helicopters, which should get the go-ahead "in the next few months" according to the ministry.
The upgrade should bring the older aircraft up to Mk88A standards.
The new helicopters will be equivalent to the Royal Navy's Lynx HMA8s, with a 360í radar, forward-looking infra-red sensor, composite main rotor blades and reverse-direction tail rotor. They will be powered by Rolls-Royce Gem 42 engines, and have anti-submarine and anti-surface-vessel warfare capabilities.
The helicopters will be capable of carrying British Aerospace Sea Skua missiles - already in the German armoury on naval Sea Kings. Westland says that no missiles are included in the current contract, however.
First deliveries of the helicopters are due to start in 1999.The aircraft are to be deployed on the German navy's four new Type 123 frigates, and will be used on three planned Type 124 vessels.
Source: Flight International