Defence Minister Mosioua Lekota has quietly signed an order for the supply of four AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 maritime helicopters together with an initial product support package to the South African National Defence Force.

The British Defence Systems Daily (DSD) journal on Friday reported that the helicopters would be operated by the South African Air Force and would be used aboard the Navy's new Meko-class frigates.

The deal was signed in Pretoria on Thursday afternoon by Lekota for the Department of Defence, Armscor chief executive Sipho Thomo for the arms acquisitions agency and by Alistair Ruiters, director general of Trade and Industry for that department.

"The purchase of the Super Lynx 300 maritime helicopter by South Africa will enhance the SANDF's capability to operate in the demanding maritime environment off South Africa and will complement the capability of the new corvettes," Lekota said.

Although no cost was stated for the deal, the company in 1998 said it expected the order to be worth some UK80-million (R937-million).

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, in his annual budget speech in February, announced that money had been allocated to purchase the helicopters. No amount was specified.

The purchase is not part of the much-maligned multi-billion rand strategic defence package.*

DSD reported that the Super Lynx 300 package included benefits to South Africa through both the National Industrial Participation (NIP) and Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) schemes. All government purchases worth more than US10-million must by law include a NIP component.

A number of key systems to be fitted on the aircraft will be provided by South African companies.

In addition, AgustaWestland would be sourcing South African aircraft components and systems for a variety of other helicopter programmes.

In conjunction with its parent companies, GKN and Finmeccanica, who have already invested significantly in South Africa, AgustaWestland would be making additional investments.

"This selection by South Africa brings with it membership of an International Lynx Club that has logged extensive military flying experience of over 1,5-million hours. The Super Lynx 300 variant reflects the latest standard in the successful Lynx family and demonstrates the significant commitment and investment by AgustaWestland to maintain the lead position of Lynx in the global helicopter market," Westland Helicopters chairman Richard Case, who signed the contract on behalf of the company, said.

Developed from the proven Super Lynx 100, Super Lynx 300 incorporates an all new integrated cockpit with a colour liquid crystal display system which provides the crew with new technology increasing crew and mission effectiveness.

The more powerful CTS800-4N engines, jointly developed by Rolls-Royce and Honeywell, complemented with a full authority digital engine control delivers low maintenance, enhanced performance and excellent economy with over 30 percent more power.

Malaysia placed an order for six Super Lynx in 1999 and the Royal Thai Navy confirmed its order for two Super Lynx 300 in August 2001.

The Sultanate of Oman signed an agreement in January 2002 to provide the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) with sixteen Super Lynx 300 helicopters to replace RAFO's current helicopters.

* This is absolute rubbish.

The maritime helicopters were initially included in the SDPs approved by Cabinet on 18 November 1998 and then later excluded in the contracts signed on 3 December 1999 in order to keep the SDPs total cost to approximately within the previously approved limit.

Nevertheless the SDPs price increased from R29,733 to R30,255 billion (all in 1998 Rands).

At the same time to number of light utility helicopters was decreased from 40 to 30.

Reason to allow a R872 million increase in the price of the corvettes, including a R699 million price increase in the cost of the corvette combat suite (R2 599 million - R1 800 million, all 1998 Rands).

With acknowledgement to Sapa.