Stewart Penney/LONDON
A competition to supply Norway with air-defence warships could adversely affect the country's participation in the four-nation Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme (NSHP).
Norway, with Denmark, Finland and Sweden, recently signed a memorandum of understanding covering the joint purchase of up to 90 helicopters. While Denmark, Finland and Sweden are, respectively, seeking replacements for their Sikorsky S-61 Sea Kings, Mil Mi-8 Hips and Kawasaki/Vertol KV107s, Norway needs to replace the smaller GKN Westland Lynx.
The Norwegian defence ministry says: "We are following two tracks, one national." It adds that the NSHP winner may or may not be used with the new navy vessels. "It depends on the competition process and how long it takes."
Norway's decision on whether to pursue a joint purchase with its Nordic neighbours or to go it alone is unlikely before the NSHP request for quotations is released in November. The MoD says it has the option of pulling out of the joint procurement "if the parameters don't meet the national need". The loss of one nation would reduce the cost benefits of a collaborative purchase.
The MoD suggests the NSHP winner could replace Norway's GKN Westland Sea King which have a land-based search and rescue role. It says a larger transport helicopter will be needed, but not for 20 years.
Although, on paper, Norway's requirement is the least urgent, there is an emerging push to select a sea-going helicopter so that the hangar, landing platform and other aspects of the frigate, when selected, can be defined before construction begins. Alternatively, a warship could be selected and a helicopter then chosen to fit.
A request for quotations is expected to be issued to six helicopter manufacturers. The EH Industries EH101, Eurocopter Cougar MkII/III and the Sikorsky S-92 are emerging as lead contenders.
Source: Flight International
