Tranche 2 of the IAC Tactical Helicopter order should be for 4-6 AW-149's as described below, suitable for overseas deployments and able to operate in conjunction with a Nordic+ Support Helicopter Force; Swedish Super Pumas, Finnish NH-90TT's and Norwegian 412 Arapaho's, with the Swedes and Norwegians also likely to field NH-90TT's. The four AW-139's currently on order will be fine for training and domestic missions.
From Flight International:
AgustaWestland UK site to lead development of new 7.5t multirole AW149 helicopter
By Murdo Morrison in Yeovil
AgustaWestland's operation in Yeovil is to take the lead role in the development of the new AW149 7.5t multirole helicopter, as part of a relocation of the Italian helicopter manufacturer's military division to the UK.
The move was announced today by AgustaWestland chief executive Guiseppi Orsi at a ceremony in Yeovil to mark the signing of a strategic partnering arrangement between the manufacturer and the UK Ministry of Defence, and a contract for the development and manufacture of 70 Future Lynx helicopters for the army and Royal Navy. Related blogs
Orsi said the Finmeccanica subsidiary was in “preliminary discussions” with the UK's Department of Trade and Industry to secure funding to develop new technology for the AW149.
He said more details on the AW149 would be announced at next month's Farnborough air show. However, flightglobal.com has sourced the original specifications for the aircraft from the company's website.
AgustaWestland's managing director of military programmes Alan Johnston said the AW149 announcement “illustrated that we are finally one integrated company”. Eighteen months ago, GKN sold its 50% share in AgustaWestland to its joint venture partner Finmeccanica.