Aircraft

Brazilian navy signs agreement for new Sikorsky Seahawks

The Brazilian navy has signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the US government covering the planned purchase of four Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk helicopters. Valued at almost $195 million, the letter also covers options for a further two aircraft.

The Seahawk purchase is aimed at reinforcing the navy's sole anti-submarine warfare squadron HS-1, which now relies on four Sikorsky and Agusta-built ASH/SH-3D Sea Kings received between 1972 and 1996. Service sources indicate that further S-70Bs are expected to be acquired between 2010 and 2015, with the final number to rise to as high as 12 airframes.

Since 2004 the Brazilian navy has been shopping for a Sea King successor, also examining types such as the AgustaWestland AW101, Eurocopter AS532SC, Kaman SH-2G Seasprite and Mil Mi-171 as potential candidates. The AW101 and Seahawk were shortlisted during that same year, but the former's price tag was found to be prohibitive for the navy's tight budget.

Preliminary studies have also indicated that the MBDA AM-39 Exocet can also be integrated with the S-70B: a key factor as the weapon is the Brazilian navy's prime anti-ship missile.