Japan's National Police Agency (NPA) is seeking proposals from helicopter manufacturers for three light and one medium twin machines.
The light helicopter competition is part of the NPA's replacement programme for its fleet of about 40 Bell 206Bs. It began replacing its 206Bs three years ago and plans to acquire further aircraft as funds become available.
The NPA is again considering the Eurocopter EC135 and the Kawasaki Heavy Industries BK117, both of which it has procured in the past three years. Japanese industry officials also expect the AgustaWestland A109 and Bell 427 to compete.
The BK117 is considered the favourite, being the only indigenously manufactured candidate. The BK117 is a variant of the Eurocopter EC145 sold exclusively by KHI, while agent Euroheli sells Eurocopter-manufactured aircraft in Japan.
The Bell 412 and Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin are expected to contest the medium-size aircraft requirement. The NPA already has about 20 aircraft of this size, including 412s, Dauphins and S-76s. Sikorsky has decided against entering either of this year's NPA competitions.
Proposals are being submitted this month, and the NPA says it will consider aircraft with eight to 10 seats for the light requirement and 13 or more seats for the heavy. It has ¥3 billion ($25 million) to spend on the helicopters this year and requires delivery of the aircraft by March 2004.
Source: Flight International
