Air force determines the six machines it acquired last year are sufficient for its needs
Singapore has decided against exercising options for additional Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters. Air force chief Maj Gen Lim Kim Choon says the six S-70Bs acquired last year “are sufficient to meet our requirements”.
Singapore’s ASW helicopter programme initially called for the purchase of 12 aircraft, but this was reduced in 2004 because of budget constraints to six, including only four in full configuration. Sikorsky, which beat Eurocopter and NH Industries to secure the deal, was contracted in January 2005 to supply six S-70Bs between 2008 and 2010, plus two options. Industry sources say options on the additional aircraft lapsed last December, but an option to convert the ASW sensor suites on the final two S-70Bs from partial to full configuration has not yet expired.
Lim says deliveries are now expected to begin in 2009, but sources say Sikorsky is still aiming for first delivery in 2008. Singapore requires naval helicopters to complement a new fleet of six frigates. Lim says the air force “is already familiar with ship-based helicopter operations, as our [Eurocopter AS332] Super Puma helicopters conduct regular training with the [navy]. We should be able to operationalise the S-70 for naval operations fairly quickly.”
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
