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RAF Pumas to replace Bell helicopters in Brunei

 

 The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed plans to temporarily replace two Bell helicopter types operated in Brunei and Cyprus with part of the Puma fleet currently flown by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

In Brunei, five Bell 212s are operated by the Army Air Corps in support of jungle warfare training, while in Cyprus, the RAF uses a trio of search and rescue-roled Bell 412s, according to Cirium fleets data. In both cases, the helicopters are owned by Draken Europe.

The suggestion of a new role for the Puma first surfaced in late 2021 but was not verified by the MoD, which said at the time that no decision had been taken.

However, the ministry now confirms the initiative. “Under current plans we are looking at the Puma helicopter to temporarily replace the Bell 212 helicopter in Brunei from autumn 2022 and the Bell 412 helicopter in Cyprus from spring 2023.”British Forces Brunei (BFB)  is the only remaining British military base in the Far East, BFB is located at Seria and is centred on a light infantry battalion, which will be one of the two battalions of the Royal Gurkha Rifles (image : GoogleMaps)

But the move is likely to have implications for the Puma’s own retirement. In last year’s Command Paper defence review, the MoD said the veteran rotorcraft would be phased out over the 2023-2025 period, with suggestions that the milestone could happen sooner rather than later.

Assuming a like-for-like replacement of the Bell helicopters, plus several retained as cover, then as many as a dozen Pumas will be required – over half the current 23-strong fleet. These may also be needed beyond the type’s current 2025 out-of-service date.

But the MoD says it is too soon to provide a precise timeline for the Puma’s retirement. “We are working with all key stakeholders on this decision and cannot comment further at this time.”

The MoD intends to replace the Pumas – plus the two Bell models and army-operated Airbus Helicopters Dapuhins – with a single type to be procured under its New Medium Helicopter programme.

That competition is likely to kick off next month, Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, recently told the House of Commons.

Factory Acceptance Test of the First Canister Launchers for Australian Armys Nasams

 

Project LAND 19 Phase 7B is being delivered by prime contractor, Raytheon Australia, with the support of KONGSBERG and Kongsberg Defence Australia, and will deliver a new Short-Range Ground-Based Air Defence capability for the Australian Army.

NASAMS is a state-of-the-art Ground Based Air Defence weapon system produced by KONGSBERG and Raytheon Technologies that is in service with, or under delivery to, 12 nations. The system will enable the Australian Army to quickly detect, engage, and destroy aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missile threats. The Mk 2 Canister Launcher represents the latest launcher build standard, and includes a new common ground launch rail to enable the employment of multiple missile types.

Taking place in Kongsberg Norway, KONGSBERG conducted the First of Type FAT on the first Mk 2 Canister Launcher, before completing FAT on the second Launcher. Representatives from Raytheon Australia were present to witness this occasion.

Prior to the 2022 delivery to Raytheon Australia’s Centre for Joint Integration in Mawson Lakes, the Canister Launchers will be painted by a local South Australian supplier, before being used as part of the Fire Distribution Centre First of Type Factory Acceptance Test in Q1 and Q2 of this year. Formal delivery of the first two launchers to Raytheon Australia is scheduled for July 2022.

“Army’s NASAMS Mark 2 Canister Launchers will allow them to employ a mixture of different AMRAAM missile variants, as well as the AIM-9X Block 2 missile. This mix of missiles is highly effective against advanced aircraft, just like they are on the F-35A and Super Hornet, as well as being highly effective against air-delivered threats such as cruise missiles”, says John Fry, General Manager of Kongsberg Defence Australia. “Importantly, the Mk 2 Canister Launcher that will be provided to the Australian Army under NASAMS is the most modern launcher configuration. Successfully completing the first live-fire tests last year, this latest launcher also provides options for additional missile types.”