New Zealand has selected the AgustaWestland A109 for its training and light utility helicopter requirement, with price negotiations for five aircraft and a simulator to be concluded in the first quarter of 2008.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is likely to take delivery of the aircraft in 2010 as replacements for its five Bell 47 Sioux helicopters, having selected the type instead of Eurocopter's EC635. "It was assessed to be the helicopter that best met the widest range of requirements," says the defence ministry.
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New Zealand's acquisition of the A109 (Malaysian army version pictured above) marks the nation's second major rotorcraft acquisition of recent years, following its 2005 order for eight NH Industries NH90s, which will replace its Bell UH-1Hs from 2010. Auckland also has five Kaman SH-2G(NZ) Seasprite naval helicopters in its inventory.
"In common with the Seasprite...and the eight new NH90s on order for the RNZAF, the A109 is wheeled and capable of deployment from our navy vessels," says New Zealand defence minister Phil Goff. "The helicopter has the advanced technology necessary for training pilots going on to the Seasprite and NH90 which the Sioux simply does not have," he adds.
The aircraft's cabin, cargo hook and winch will also allow crewmen to be trained in the duties that they will perform on the larger helicopters, the defence ministry adds.
The A109 fleet will also be used for missions such as air transport, search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, disaster response and surveillance, and counter-terrorism support, says Goff.
Source: Flight International
