The US Government has offered the Royal Thai Navy ten surplus Kaman SH-2F Seasprite helicopters to be rebuilt and modernised for shipboard use. Rival manufacturers are also to submit initial tenders shortly to the Thai army for 36 new utility helicopters, while the air force is seeking 14 replacement search-and- rescue machines.
Thailand was due to receive a formal letter of offer and acceptance for the ten SH-2Fs at the time of going press, following the completion of US Congressional notification and approval. Initial negotiations between Kaman and the Navy to upgrade the helicopters are to begin this week.
The ten SH-2Fs will be drawn from surplus US Navy stocks in storage. It is understood the US military is offering the helicopters free, waving the listed price of $640,000 per machine. Thailand will have cover the $500,000 cost to activate and prepare the ten helicopters for shipment.
Thailand has indicated that it wants to rebuild eight of the helicopters to the SH-2G Super Seasprite standard. Work will include re-engineing the machines with twin General Electric T700 turboshafts and fitting a Telephonics APS-143 search radar to provide commonality with the six Sikorsky S-70B2 Seahawk helicopters in Thai navy service.
The choice of anti-ship missile is undecided. Thailand is instead asking provisioning options for either the Hughes AGM-65 Maverick or Kongsberg Penguin.
Source: Flight International