Philippines selects Lynx Wildcat for ASW mission
The Philippines has selected the AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat to fulfil its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter requirement, IHS Jane's has learned.
The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) has awarded the Anglo-Italian manufacturer a contract for PHP5.3 billion (USD114 million) under its Anti-Submarine Helicopter Acquisition Project for the Philippine Navy, according to a DND Notice of Award document seen by IHS Jane's on 23 March.
While the document gives no details on the helicopter type or numbers, AgustaWestland had previously announced that it was bidding two AW159s for the requirement.
The news of the contract award comes a month after AgustaWestland officials said they were optimistic it would be awarded "very soon", though the company told IHS Jane's it is unable to comment on the contract award at this time.
The competition to provide the Philippine Navy with an airborne ASW capability, which it currently lacks, was launched by the DND in September 2014. It is understood that Airbus Helicopters and its local partner PT Dirgantara Indonesia expressed interest in bidding the AS565 Panther for the programme, though it was not confirmed if a formal bid was entered, while Bell Helicopter, NHIndustries, and Sikorsky were also reported to have shown interest with the 412EP, NH90, and S-70B Seahawk respectively.
In the ASW role the AW159 can be configured to carry active dipping sonar (ADS), sonobuoys, and torpedoes, while for the anti-surface warfare role it can be armed with anti-ship missiles, rockets, and guns. Once in Philippine Navy service, the AW159s are expected to be deployed aboard the navy's Pilar (Hamilton and Hero)-class frigates BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which were acquired from the US Coast Guard in 2012 and 2013.
IHS Jane's online
