DATE:30/10/07
SOURCE:Flight International
New Zealand defence ministry to buy five A109 helicopters
By Siva Govindasamy
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.
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.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/10/30/219004/new-zealand-defence-ministry-to-buy-five-a109-helicopters.html
