PRESS RELEASE
Evaluation of Air Corps Helicopter Tenders is Underway
The Minister for Defence, Mr. Michael Smith T. D., is pleased to announce
that the process of evaluating the tenders received in the competition for
light utility and utility helicopters has commenced.
The Tender Competition is for the supply of:
(i) two (2) new twin-engine light utility military helicopters which
will be operated by the Air Corps, primarily in the military pilot/aircrew
training role but with additional general-purpose roles.
(ii) four (4) new twin-engine utility military helicopters (with an
option for two (2) more) which will be operated by the Air Corps in a
general-purpose military operational and training role. These
helicopters must have the capability to carry eight fully-equipped troops
in addition to two crew.
Tenders were received from three vendors:
Augusta Westland,
Eurocopter and
Sikorski.
An Evaluation Team made up of military and civilian personnel is currently
examining the tenders. It is expected that the Team will complete its work
by the end of October.
The Minister plans to place the contract for these new helicopters before
the end of the year.
