Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
South Africa has begun to study options for the long-term replacement of its turboprop-powered Douglas C-47TPDakota maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), but will not introduce a new type until at least 2010.
Industry sources say South Africa has been provided with pricing and availability data on stored ex-US Navy Lockheed P-3B Orions. Tentative discussions have also taken place with the Netherlands, which plans to retire three of its P-3Cs (Flight International, 8-14 December, 1999) and CASA of Spain which is pitching versions of its CN235 and C295 turboprops, say the sources.
CASA confirms the talks but says South Africa has not drafted a formal requirement and no bid has been submitted.
The South African Air Force (SAAF)is playing down the urgency of its requirement, saying: "At this stage we are not looking for any replacement for the Dakotas, but in the long term we will look at something else." It adds that under current planning the C-47TPs will not be phased out until "the next decade". Nevertheless, the talks about the Dutch and US aircraft suggest there is some interest in providing a plausible long-range maritime surveillance capability sooner than 2010.
CASA's position could be strengthened because South African forces operate nine C212s and four CN235s. The Spanish company plans to offer MPA versions of its CN235 and C295, but could struggle to meet South Africa's range requirements.
Meanwhile, Lockheed Martin has signed a letter of intent to team with Ogma Industries Aeronautica to meet a forthcoming Portuguese air force requirement to upgrade its six P-3Bs. The ex-Australian aircraft will undergo a structural life extension and systems upgrade to bring the P-3s into line with the latest NATO standards.
<li> BAE Systems has selected the Rafael Litening targeting pod for SAAF Saab/BAE Gripens and will make the pod a standard for export aircraft. The first order, for a limited number of pods, will integrate the Litening with the Gripen for the first time. The SAAF has orders for nine two-seat Gripens and options for 19 single-seaters.
It is the first sale of Israeli-built equipment to the SAAF since the defence relationship between the pair froze in the early 1990s.
Source: Flight International
