GKN Westland is close to concluding a contract with the Royal Malaysian Navy for the first LHTEC T800 turboshaft-powered version of the upgraded Super Lynx 300 naval helicopter.
The Malaysian treasury is understood to be finalising an order with the UK helicopter manufacturer for a small batch of machines. The Navy has been negotiating to purchase six Super Lynx, but this is likely to be trimmed back to an initial three in the face of Kuala Lumpur's recent economic problems and cutbacks in defence expenditure.
Despite Malaysia's earlier decision to conduct a sole-source procurement and its signature of a letter of intent with Westland, Kaman continues to lobby to open up the competition, having submitted an unsolicited proposal for SH-2G Super Seasprites.
The Super Lynx deal would represent the first sale of the re-engined T-800.
Source: Flight International