Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Norway has pulled out of active participation in the Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme (NSHP) after struggling to overcome conflicting size and mission requirements with partners Denmark, Finland and Sweden as they pursue joint selection of a new common platform.
The Norwegians have relegated themselves to observer status to keep their options open. The air force is looking for up to 14 shipboard helicopters to replace its AgustaWestland Lynx Mk86 machines, a requirement which has proved difficult to reconcile with the different needs of the three other Nordic nations.
NSHP programme director Curt Westberg says: "The programme is still running, and Norway is still in the project but has taken observer status regarding some of the helicopters which are not suitable for its requirements."
Norway is concerned that the winner of the contest will be too large to be accommodated aboard its planned new fleet of Spanish-designed frigates. Sikorsky is understood to have included in its S-92 NSHP tender a contingency offer of smaller S-70B Seahawks.
Oslo's abstention should have made it easier to reach a consensus, but there are signs that Denmark has a different preference to that of Sweden and Finland. The Danes are looking for 12 replacements for their Sikorsky S-61search-and-rescue machines, with EH Industries' EH101 being first choice.
Sweden and Finland consider the three-engined EH101 too large a replacement for their respective Kawasaki KV107 anti-submarine warfare and Mil Mi-8 transport helicopters. They have shortlisted the Sikorsky S-92 and competing NH Industries NH90 for their requirements, which make up most of the original planned NSHP buy of 73 machines.
The NSHP programme office has negotiated refined proposals with Sikorsky and NHI, having pushed back a final selection to the first quarter of 2001. Agusta Westland says it expects to meet NSHP officials in January to discuss its EH101 tender.
Industry sources concede there are "different attitudes" between the three remaining NSHP participants, but the three Nordic governments are "insistent" on a standard solution being found.
The door has also been left open for Norway to rejoin as a full partner if NSHP decides on a split purchase of two helicopter types. Norway also has a longer-term need to replace its 12 Sea King Mk43s SAR and 18 Bell 412 utility machines, and Denmark will need a successor for its six ship-based Lynxes around 2015.
Source: Flight International
