MIN 86/97 26 June 1997
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR ELEVEN NAVY HELICOPTERS
The Minister for Defence, Mr Ian McLachlan, announced today the signing of a contract for $660m with Kaman Aerospace International Corporation to provide eleven helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy. In addition an in-service support contract was signed to provide long term support services for the helicopters once they enter service.
The helicopters, to be known as the SH-2G(A) 'Super Seasprite', are designed to operate from ANZAC ships which are currently being introduced into service.
Developed by Kaman Aerospace, the Super Seasprite is a twin engine aircraft which will enhance and extend the operational capabilities of the ANZAC ships. The aircraft will be fitted with the Penguin anti-shipping missile system, modern sensors and, and advanced 'state of the art' digital avionics suite.
Minister McLachlan said: "The helicopters represent an important new capability for the Royal Australian Navy, and the Australian Defence Force as a whole, by significantly increasing the ability to monitor and defend Australia's maritime approaches and other areas of interest."
He added: "The aircraft is designed and built in the U.S.A with extensive Australian industry involvement being generated in the development of the aircraft's software and avionics suite and the through life maintenance and repair support phase."
"Furthermore the service contract with the Kaman will cover the technical and training support requirements of the helicopters through the first ten years of operations and is consistent with the Government's continuing drive to provide support to the ADF through industry thereby releasing uniformed personnel for front line duties."
The first of the Super Seasprites is planned to be delivered into Australia during the first half of 2001 with all deliveries completed by mid 2002.
Further information:
Ministerial - Jim Bonner 0419 438 490 (mobile)
Departmental - Captain Brian Rowe, RAN 0419 243592 (mobile)
Note for Editors and Chiefs of Staff: Photographs of the signing ceremony
and the Kaman Helicopter are available from Mignon Patterson on (06) 265
1164, as well as background information. File video footage will be available
from local Canberra TV networks and Declan McGrath on (06) 266 6278.