NEW ZEALAND HAS invited bidders to offer six naval helicopters as replacements for its fleet of elderly Westland Wasps.
The request for tenders follows the New Zealand Government's recently announced plans to spend $NZ200 million ($130 million) on shipboard helicopters. A final selection is expected by the end of the year, with a contract to be signed in early 1996.
They will be used primarily to equip the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) two new ANZAC frigates, now under construction in Australia, and two modernised Leander-class frigates. Initial deliveries are expected to coincide with the entry into service of the first ANZAC ship in 1997.
Hangar and flightdeck restrictions on the Leander frigates effectively limit the competition to the Westland Super Lynx and Eurocopter AS.565SA Panther, ruling out the Sikorsky S-70 Seahawk or Kaman SH-2G Seasprite.
The RNZN requirement calls for the helicopters to be fitted with a search radar, forward-looking infrared sensor and electronic-support measures.
Armament will include anti-submarine warfare (ASW) torpedoes and an anti-ship missile (ASM), with both the British Aerospace Sea Skua and Aerospatiale AS.15TT in contention.
New Zealand has agreed to exchange evaluation data with Australia, which has a similar requirement for up to 27 naval helicopters, as part of its combined Sea 1411/1427 programme. Co-operation at this stage, however, will not extend to a joint selection and purchase, say officials.
The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) requirement differs in that it is primarily for an intermediate-size surveillance helicopter to supplement the navy's fleet of 16 S-70B-2 Seahawks. The helicopters will be fitted with ASM, but will not have an ASW capability.
Australia is expected to issue a request for tenders by the middle of the year and make a final selection in mid-1996.
The helicopters will be used initially, to equip the RAN's eight ANZAC frigates and later, its planned fleet, of nine smaller offshore patrol combatants.
Front-runners for the RAN order include, the AS.565SA Panther, the SH-2G Seasprite, the Super Lynx and the navalised Sikorsky S-76N. A stipulated weight limit of 6,124kg has ruled out the S-70B-2.
Source: Flight International