News Review: Game on - Defence releases naval helicopter RFT | ADM Jun 2010

1 June 2010

The DMO has released project solicitation documents to the US Navy and Australian Aerospace for the supply of new naval combat helicopters under Project Air 9000 Ph.8.

The government's aim is acquire sufficient helicopters to provide at least eight helicopters concurrently embarked on ships at sea; the 2009 Defence White Paper talks of a fleet of 24 helicopters to sustain this rate of effort.

The Government had previously announced the two contenders are the MH-60R "Romeo" Seahawk, sourced through the US Navy under a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement, or the NH90 NFH sourced from Australian Aerospace under a commercial deal.

"The competition to select a new helicopter has commenced on schedule ahead of a final decision about the new helicopter in 2011," Defence Minister, Senator Faulkner, said.

"The release of tender documents now is in line with the schedule determined by the Government when it considered the project for First Pass Approval in February of this year.

"The new naval combat helicopter will enhance the RAN's ability to conduct a range of maritime combat and other operations, including anti-submarine and surface warfare."

"A competitive process is consistent with the Kinnaird and Mortimer procurement reforms," Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, said.

"It will allow the companies to offer innovative solutions that satisfy the capability, cost and schedule requirements and detail what opportunities they will offer local industry."

Senator Faulkner said that any decision Government makes in 2011 will take into account all relevant considerations including capability, cost, interoperability with other ADF capabilities, Australian industry opportunities, risk and value for money.