Heliport
13th Aug 2003, 13:37
from The Straits TimesChoppers for Navy: 3 firms in the running
THE Republic of Singapore Navy's long, three-year search for its first ship-borne helicopters is entering the final phase. Three shortlisted companies will be invited later this month to prepare their 'best and final offers' for submission. The offers will be for up to eight helicopters.
These helicopters will be the first in the Singapore Armed Forces' arsenal to be armed with anti-ship missiles and deployed on warships. The helicopters are expected to perform a variety of roles, including surveillance, and anti-ship and anti-submarine combat missions.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2003-08-12/H6A_0812.jpg ............................ http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2003-08-12/H6B_0812.jpg
Choppers in the running include the Cougar (left), from France-based Eurocopter, and the NH-90, made by European consortium NHIndustries.
The three choppers being considered are a modified variant of the SH-70(N) Sea Hawk from United Technologies (UTC), a United States-based company; the Cougar from France-based Eurocopter; and the NH-90, which is made by European consortium NH Industries.
Singapore's search for naval warfare helicopters dates back to the 1980s, when a team of engineers was sent to Egypt to evaluate an offer by the country to sell second-hand Sea King anti-submarine choppers, but nothing came of that.
The current search began after the Navy ordered six 110-metre stealth frigates from France in 2000.
A helicopter will be carried by each of the frigates, which will be the largest missile-armed warships in the Navy. The first frigate should be delivered in 2005.
In addition, two more helicopters will be required for shore-based training and as replacement choppers when others undergo maintenance.
The helicopters are expected to carry both anti-submarine torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
Once the Defence Ministry asks for the best and final offers, the three companies will have a month or so to submit their prices.
The bids will then be examined by the Defence Science & Technology Agency, the national authority on military technology.
This process should be completed by early next year, after which the successful bidder will be announced.
THE Republic of Singapore Navy's long, three-year search for its first ship-borne helicopters is entering the final phase. Three shortlisted companies will be invited later this month to prepare their 'best and final offers' for submission. The offers will be for up to eight helicopters.
These helicopters will be the first in the Singapore Armed Forces' arsenal to be armed with anti-ship missiles and deployed on warships. The helicopters are expected to perform a variety of roles, including surveillance, and anti-ship and anti-submarine combat missions.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2003-08-12/H6A_0812.jpg ............................ http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2003-08-12/H6B_0812.jpg
Choppers in the running include the Cougar (left), from France-based Eurocopter, and the NH-90, made by European consortium NHIndustries.
The three choppers being considered are a modified variant of the SH-70(N) Sea Hawk from United Technologies (UTC), a United States-based company; the Cougar from France-based Eurocopter; and the NH-90, which is made by European consortium NH Industries.
Singapore's search for naval warfare helicopters dates back to the 1980s, when a team of engineers was sent to Egypt to evaluate an offer by the country to sell second-hand Sea King anti-submarine choppers, but nothing came of that.
The current search began after the Navy ordered six 110-metre stealth frigates from France in 2000.
A helicopter will be carried by each of the frigates, which will be the largest missile-armed warships in the Navy. The first frigate should be delivered in 2005.
In addition, two more helicopters will be required for shore-based training and as replacement choppers when others undergo maintenance.
The helicopters are expected to carry both anti-submarine torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
Once the Defence Ministry asks for the best and final offers, the three companies will have a month or so to submit their prices.
The bids will then be examined by the Defence Science & Technology Agency, the national authority on military technology.
This process should be completed by early next year, after which the successful bidder will be announced.