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SEOUL — Anglo-Italian helicopter company AgustaWestland has beaten its U.S. rival to win a $567 million contract from South Korea’s navy, officials said Jan. 15.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said it would buy eight AW159 Wildcat helicopters from AgustaWestland over two years starting in 2015. A spokesman said the $567 million price tag also includes the transfer of technology and extra equipment.
The Wildcat, which is armed with machine guns and can carry dipping sonar, torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, will be used as the navy’s multi-mission helicopter, DAPA officials said. The U.S.-made Sikorsky Seahawk that competed with the Wildcat has been disqualified mainly because it could not meet the price set by South Korea, they said.
The Wildcat will be deployed on destroyers and frigates.
