Singapore has shortlisted the Aermacchi M311, Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, Pilatus PC-21 and Raytheon T-6 Texan II to contest a requirement to operate around 20 primary trainers for the country's air force.
The companies have until mid-August to submit bids to provide leased aircraft for operation from Australia's Pearce airbase from April 2008. Singapore is expected to conduct test flights of the rival aircraft in September or October.
The timing could work well for Aermacchi, which plans to fly its new M311 derivative of the S211 – the primary trainer used by Singapore – for the first time shortly. Raytheon is believed to have informally demonstrated its T-6B in Singapore this year as part of an ongoing tour of at least 10 potential buying countries. All four bidders are expected to fly in Singapore next February at the 2006 Asian Aerospace show.
The winning manufacturer will be required to provide maintenance, most likely using an Australian partner, and to employ most of Perth-based AES's mechanics, who support the S211 fleet. Companies including Aermacchi partner Aerodef and Singapore Technologies Aerospace, which owns part of AES, are also seeking to be part of the bid teams.
Singapore first issued a request for information in early 2002 for new trainers and an invitation to tender was finally distributed last month, eliminating Korea Aerospace Industries' (KAI) KT-1. KAI hopes to next year offer its T-50 in a contest to replace Singapore's McDonnell Douglas TA-4SU Skyhawks with 18 new aircraft.
BRENDAN SOBIE/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
