Paul Derby/DUBAI
Norway might commit itself to the Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme but delay a firm purchase to ensure that the four-nation collaboration stays on track, it emerged at the show.
Analysts had speculated that the Norwegians planned to pull out of the joint agreement with Sweden, Denmark and Finland which calls for up to 90 helicopters covering a variety of missions.
"We still believe that all four nations will come forward with a requirement for a single aircraft," says GKN Westland's Marc Holloran. "It may be that Norway buys its machines further down the line."
The picture will become clearer by the end of this month when a request for quotations (RFQ) is issued. Competing bidders are likely to have four months in which to submit their proposals, with a final contract award being made before the end of next year.
Norway's requirement is seen to be the least urgent, with an in-service date of 2007 for a new Search and Rescue (SAR) machine. Denmark is also looking at the SAR role, Sweden needs a land-based anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter, while Finland needs a transport aircraft.
Competitors will include the EH Industries EH 101, Sikorsky's S-92, the Eurocopter Cougar MkII and the NH Industries NH90.
Meanwhile, Westland has proposed the EH 101 to meet an RFQ issued by Austria for 10 to 15 aircraft to perform SAR and med-evac roles. The Austrian decision follows a series of avalanches earlier this year which highlighted the need for a dedicated SAR machine. The election of a new Austrian government and political gains won by the far right have since stalled progress on that front.
Source: Flight Daily News
