DATE:23/05/08
SOURCE:Flight International
Singapore poised to issue advanced jet trainer shortlist
By Siva Govindasamy
Singapore could issue a shortlist of manufacturers and prime
contractors for its advanced jet training programme by the end of
June, with industry sources expecting the nation's defence
ministry, Defence Science and Technology Agency and air force to
hold briefings for the shortlisted candidates earlier the same
month. There, further details on the requirement will be revealed,
enabling the remaining contenders to refine their bids.
The Alenia Aermacchi M-346, BAE Systems Hawk 128 and Korea
Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50 have all undergone flight
demonstrations for Singapore over the last few months, but it has
so far only given the bidders broad guidelines on what it wants for
the programme, leaving them to recommend aircraft numbers and
costs.
Many industry sources expect Singapore to follow the United Arab
Emirates' lead by eliminating the Hawk from its AJT contest, with
speculation having increased after the UK type failed to arrive in
time to participate in February's Singapore air show.
Several companies, including Lockheed Martin and Singapore
Technologies Aerospace, are also in the running to become prime
contractor for the AJT requirement, with the customer keen to have
a separate company responsible for running the system. But unlike
its earlier Basic Wings training system - awarded to Lockheed and
its partner Pilatus and using the latter's PC-21 - airframe
suppliers and primes must this time submit separate bids and cannot
nominate a preferred partner.
Singapore also has yet to confirm whether it will continue to
conduct its advanced training activities at France's Cazaux air
base. Alenia Aermacchi has said that it would be willing to
accommodate Singaporean students at its M-346 training facility in
Italy, while Lockheed officials indicated during the Singapore air
show that they would welcome the nation's AJT activities to the
USA, where the Republic of Singapore Air Force pilots already train
on the Boeing F-15 and Lockheed F-16.