Singapore is engaged in a final round of negotiations for the acquisition of six naval helicopters and will begin evaluations this month for the purchase or lease of about 10 training helicopters.
Manufacturers expect Singapore will choose between the Eurocopter AS532C Cougar, NH Industries NH90 and Sikorsky S-70 by the end of December, ending two years of delays to the naval programme. Industry sources say a new round of negotiations began last month with Sikorsky the apparent frontrunner because it has underbid the other contenders in the latest round of proposals. But Eurocopter and NH Industries have not yet given up on the competition.
Singapore plans to evaluate the Bell 206, Eurocopter EC120 and Enstrom 480B later this month for the trainer requirement and issue a tender to shortlisted manufacturers in December. Sources say Bell, Eurocopter and Enstrom were the only manufacturers to respond to a request for information that closed at the end of September.
Singapore also has issued a registration of interest that asks for proposals by 2 November. Manufacturers are free to propose selling or leasing new aircraft with a maintenance package or delivering platform hours over a 12-, 15- or 20-year period. Singapore seeks to begin operating the new trainers in March 2006.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
