Australia is understood to have asked Kongsberg to keep open its tender on 44 Penguin Mk2 Mod 7 anti-ship missiles for up to 12 months. The delay could threaten Kongsberg's plans to combine production for Australia with a follow-on US Navy order for another 100 helicopter-launched Penguins. Australia had originally budgeted A$76 million ($60 million) for missiles to arm its Kaman SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite helicopters, but political sources say that the number of Penguins may be cut to 18-20 rounds.
Source: Flight International