The DMO has released tender solicitation documents to the US Navy and to Australian Aerospace for the supply of up to 24 naval combat helicopters to replace the RAN’s Seahawks and foregone Seasprite capability under Air 9000 Phase 8.
The tender release follows first pass approval of the project in February, and the government’s subsequent decision to open the requirement to a competition between NHI/Eurocopter’s NH90 NFH and the Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky (Team Romeo) MH-60R.
“A competitive process is consistent with the Kinnaird and Mortimer procurement reforms,” Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, said. “It will allow the companies to offer innovative solutions that satisfy the capability, cost and schedule requirements and detail what opportunities they will offer local industry.”
A decision on the successful tender is due to be handed down in early 2011.
