Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
Singapore has formally kicked off the tendering process for an attack helicopter by issuing competing European, South African and US manufacturers with letters of request (LoR) for up 20 airframes
The LoR has given the three shortlisted bidders until June to submit their offers to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The competition has been narrowed down to a choice between the Boeing AH-64D Apache, Denel CSH-2 Rooivalk and Eurocopter Tiger HAC helicopters.
It is understood the RSAF request specifies pricing on an initial order of eight and a further 12 options for delivery in 2001/2. The package is also likely to include the supply of anti-tank and, air-to-air missiles and an overseas training and logistic support package.
Singapore has also asked for the inclusion of the AH-64D's mast-mounted Lockheed Martin/ Northrop Grumman Longbow millimetre wave radar, which has not yet been officially cleared for sale to the region. The US Government is believed to be proposing a solution similar to that earlier offered to Thailand for the release of the active-guided Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.
The Longbow radar initially would be made available on RSAF AH-64s based in the USA for training, before eventually being transferred to Singapore. The system could be released earlier in the event of a local conflict. Singapore already maintains a detachment of Boeing CH-47 transport helicopters at Grand Prairie, Texas.
Taiwan officials, in the meantime, are indicating that budgeting for a planned replacement of the Bell UH-1H will delayed for at least another 12 months. The army had been seeking initial funding in 1999, but fiscal belt tightening and internal disagreements about holding an open tender or opting for a single-source bid threatens to delay the procurement.
While no formal evaluation process has yet been launched, the Taiwanese army has already unofficially narrowed its selection down to the Bell 412 and Sikorsky S-70 Blackhawk.
The $1 billion programme promises to be one of the largest military helicopter deals in Asia, involving an requirement for up to 100 new machines.
Source: Flight International
