South Korea: No MH-60R, but Wildcat AW159 Lynx after all...

[Stratofreighter]

Published : 2013-01-01 21:44
Updated : 2013-01-01 21:57

Korea to buy U.S. Seahawk choppers for naval operation

South Korea has decided to buy eight advanced multi-purpose maritime helicopters from the United States for its Navy, military sources said Tuesday.

The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. was chosen over the AW-195 Wildcat manufactured by the Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland, they said.

"After completing test evaluations in September, we've conducted a series of analysis and negotiations on details including technology, terms of contracts and rices," said one Navy official, requesting anonymity.

"The Seahawk earned higher marks for its loading capacity and power output."

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) will hold a meeting this month to approve the Navy plan.

The DAPA has been pushing to purchase eight new choppers for a total cost of 589 billion won (US$554.1 million).

Loaded on to next-generation frigates, the new elicopters will be tasked with containing North Korean submarines and naval surface vessels, according to Navy officials.

The exact price of each chopper was unknown.

In May, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of possible sales to South Korea of eight MH-60R helicopters, along with related parts, equipment, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1 billion.

"Many expected the talks with the U.S. side to be tough due to the price gap, but the two sides finally split the difference," said another Navy official, also requesting anonymity.

"The U.S. agreed to lower the price of each helicopter, while raising the cost of logistical support," he added.

The 19.76 meter-long and 5.1 meter-high chopper with the maximum cruising speed of 267 kilometers per hour can handle multiple missions including operations of diverse types of warfare, search, rescue, and medical evacuation.

Taken from http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130101000301

[PilotoRico]

Interesting to see that typical Lynx users are now going to choose the MH-60R..... Denmark, now S. Korea and with some luck Norway (if gvmnt choose to withdraw from NH.90 debacle).

Pilotorico

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... al-381045/

South Korea picks AW159 for maritime helicopter deal

5 hours ago

AgustaWestland expects to close the first export sale of its AW159 Lynx Wildcat within weeks, after South Korea selected the type for a maritime helicopter requirement, initially for eight aircraft.

South Korea's Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the development on 15 January, with the nation's decision having followed a competition between the new-generation Lynx and Sikorsky's MH-60R Seahawk.

Its evaluation was based on criteria including cost, performance and operational suitability with the Republic of Korea Navy's future frigates, the DAPA says.

Roles to be undertaken by the missile-equipped AW159 for South Korea would include anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare tasks, maritime surveillance, and search and rescue duties, AgustaWestland says. Deliveries will take place in 2015 and 2016, with the aircraft also to be equipped with a dipping sonar for the anti-submarine role.

The South Korean navy already has an active inventory of 24 Lynx 99/99A aircraft, which Flightglobal's Ascend Online Fleets database records has having been delivered between 1989 and 2000.

The selection is an important development for AgustaWestland, after it lost out late last year in a nine-aircraft contest with the MH-60R in Denmark.

The company is already manufacturing 62 Lynx Wildcats for the UK armed forces, with the type due to enter service with the British Army in August 2014 and the Royal Navy in January 2015.

The procurement is worth just over £1.6 billion ($2.5 billion), according to the UK National Audit Office's 10 January Major Projects Report.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-1 ... korea.html

U.S. bidders in South Korea often have an advantage because of the close military alliance between the countries.

In terms of interoperability, often a deciding factor in South Korean competitions, the MH-60R scored better than the Wildcat,
said Kim Seung Bok, director of maritime aircraft.
However, the Wildcat offer was more compelling overall, he said.

The AW159 and MH-60R are squaring off in several other markets, particularly the Middle East where Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are considering purchases.
Malaysia also may add a maritime helicopter purchase to its next defense plan.