This week in Flight International:
Manufacturers scramble as Taiwan opens contest
Taiwan has launched a long-anticipated competition for nine firefighting and three large search and rescue (SAR) helicopters.
Industry sources say National Airborne Services (NASC) issued a request for proposals in early December, and a follow-up request for proposals is expected early this year after NASC is allocated a budget for 2006.
AgustaWestland, Eurocopter, Sikorsky are preparing to offer the EH101, EC225 and S-92, respectively, for NASC’s SAR requirement, which also includes maritime patrol with a minimum range of 650km (350nm).
About $75 million has been set aside for the three-aircraft acquisition, which is expected to be spread out over three to five years.
Russia’s Kamov and Kazan Helicopters are expected to compete for the firefighting requirement, offering the Ka-32 and Mi-172, respectively. Sikorsky is considering offering used S-70 Black Hawks because new S-70A Fire Hawks are too expensive for the roughly $12 million per aircraft budget.
But sources say NASC may revise the programme after receiving initial proposals and open the competition in the second round to more expensive aircraft. Eurocopter is now unable to offer its AS332L2 Super Puma as a firefighting helicopter as it is too expensive for the current budget.
Sikorsky could be in a strong position to win the SAR competition following the Taiwanese air force’s tentative selection of the S-92 to augment its fleet of S-70 SAR helicopters (Flight International, 22-28 November 2005).
Sources say that Euro*copter, which initially did not enter the air force competition, is now trying to convince Taipei to consider the EC225 for both the air force and NASC requirements. But the sources say a rejection of the air force selection, which is still contingent on government approval and funds being allocated, is unlikely.
Eurocopter last month beat Sikorsky, offering the S-92, in SAR competitions in mainland China and Japan 
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No need to argue on PPRUNE which beast is more suitable for SAR. Others have already decided! S92 - EC225: 0-2
Oh, and I think Japan has got a fair amount of icing conditions at the moment.