Super Lynx Preferred Helicopter for $1.9B Order
Agusta Westland in Yeovil, U.K. has had its Super Lynx helicopter named as the preferred option for a U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) order worth approximately GBP 1 billion (USD $1.9 billion). The MoD says the Future Lynx meets its requirements for helicopters which could be used for land reconnaissance missions and attacks on small boats, and it was hoped contracts would be signed within six months. The MoD also announced that it intends to develop a long-term partnering arrangement with Agusta Westland, which is also strongly placed to pick up a contract to support and maintain the armed forces’ Sea King helicopters.
Both EADS’ Eurocopter Unit and Boeing had wanted to compete for the helicopter contract, but the MoD declined to put the contract out for competition. Other aerospace companies will also benefit from the deal, the MoD said, including Smiths Aerospace in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire; Thales in Taunton, Somerset, and Raynes Park, London; GD (UK) in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex; and South Dorset Engineering in Weymouth. Future Lynx is a division of Agusta Westland, which Finmeccanica bought last year from the U.K.’s GKN PLC.
The Super Lynx helicopter is also in service with Germany, Malaysia, Oman, South Africa, and Thailand.
See also…
- Air Force Technology: Super Lynx 300
- Associated Press: Finmeccania Gets Helicopter Contract
- BBC: Helicopter Firm to Get GBP 1bn Boost
- Times Online: Westland GBP 1bn helicopter deal angers rivals
