The new H225M and CH-47F will replace the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s existing Super Pumas and older Chinooks, which have been in service since 1983 and 1994 respectively, and are facing obsolescence.
The H225M and CH-47F possess better lift and reach capabilities, and will enable the RSAF to meet the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s lift requirements more efficiently with fewer helicopters and less manpower.
The acquisition of the H225M and CH-47F will ensure that the RSAF continues to effectively meet the SAF's lift requirements for a wide spectrum of operations, including Search and Rescue (SAR), Aeromedical Evacuation (AME) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
The replacement aircraft were selected after a rigorous evaluation process.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Given that Singapore currently operates 46 Aérospatiale Super Pumas and 24 Boeing Chinooks, it is plausible that the new contracts cover a similar number of replacement aircraft.
The above communiqué also makes no mention of prices, but Poland was to pay about $3.5 billion for the 50 H225M Caracals it was going to buy, so Singapore will probably pay a similar amount, or less if it foregoes tech transfer and local assembly.
According to Congressional notifications of CH-47F sales to several countries, including Australia, the UAE and Turkey, the current FMS price of a CH-47F is about $80 million.)
-ends-
from Defense Aerospace - Press releases http://ift.tt/2fKTheu
via Defense
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