Exclusive research by Gaceta Aeronáutica reveals that European manufacturer Airbus Helicopter is set to win a Carabineros de Chile (Chilean Carbineers) request for quotations (RFQ) that will result in Bell 206 JetRanger’s phasing-out as the service’s primary helicopter pilot training platform.
Following a lead by our colleagues at Delphos Magazine, we recently inspected official information recorded in Chile’s government purchasing platform, Mercado Público (Spanish for Public Marketplace), and discovered that Airbus local subsidiary was the only proponent replying the RFQ.
Published on 06/19/2023, the RFQ called for commercial and technical proposals to provide a single-engined, dual control helicopter to perform visual flight rules training duties, with additional capabilities to act as a police patrol, search and rescue and transport platform.
The aircraft was required to be brand new (built in 2023 or later), certified by the United States Federal Aviation Agency or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, have a a minimum take off weight of 2,200 kg. or more and a maximum operating ceiling on or above 18,000 ft.
Supplementary requirements included hard points and hardware provision for rescue hoist (200 kg. or higher capacity with 50 m. or greater cable length for operations above 0° C), searchlight (Trackbeam A800 or equivalent) and cargo hook system (with 1,200 kg. or higher capacity).
Even though it may turn out to be useless, Carabineros will evaluate proposals in four weight-averaged dimensions (45% pricing, 34% delivery schedule, 20% technical requirements evaluation and 1% formal requisites compliance) and subtract points in case the proponents have had adverse contractual background with the government in the past.
Proposals opening
Much to our surprise, official records demonstrate that Airbus was the sole respondent to the RFQ when proposals were opened by the institution’s Dirección de Logística (Logistics Directorate) on 07/19/2023.
Valued at US $4,390,000, with delivery at Airbus Chile headquarters in Tobalaba airfield (Santiago de Chile), Airbus’ offering comprises an H125 Ecureuil (AS350B3) aircraft in its basic configuration, seemingly fulfilling requirements.
The proposal adds several optional items which the proponent suggests may help the service wrap-up a powerful multi-mission platform, including onboard cargo swing (US $43,000) and Bambi bucket system for fire-fighting duties (US $35,000).
The document also boasts that the “H125 is operated by leading operators around the world, in the entire spectrum of single-engined helicopter missions, including search and rescue missions, logistic support, passenger transport, aeromedical evacuation and training” and that it also “is the best-selling and most-operated single-engine helicopter in the world in its category, with more than 400 units operating in Latin America”.
If the RFQ’ schedule is fulfilled, final evaluation and allocation to the manufacturer will be announced after 10/07/2023 by an evaluation committee formed by three junior officers and two non-commissioned officers.
Once a decision is made and a purchase order plus a 50% advanced payment is issued to the supplier, Airbus proposal states that the aircraft will be delivered from France within five months, with instructor and maintenance pilot training to be performed after delivery.
Should the acquisition proceed, Airbus will move forward to placing the H125 in four out of five Chilean defense and security services because the type is already operating with the Navy (four H125 Esquilos), Army (two AS350B2 and two AS350B3 Ecureuils) and Investigations Police (three AS350B3 Ecureuils).
Furthermore, it would allow the European manufacturer to become a solid purveyor to 50% of the Carabineros rotary wing fleet, eliminating competitor Bell Helicopter (which will go down from 10% to 0% after delivery) and cornering Leonardo (with a 50% share), demonstrating the relevance of their locally-based subsidiary (as opposed to their competitors’ dealers-only in-country presence).
Internet sources: Delphos, Mercado Público and Pista 18 Data Base.
