Algeria Orders More Super Lynx Helicopters from AgustaWestland

The Algerian Ministry of Defence has a follow-up order for six Super Lynx Mk300 helicopters for the Algerian Navy, it has emerged.


The contract, apparently signed during the second quarter of this year, is buried deep in Finmeccanica's half-yearly results for 2012 and states a 'contract to supply six AW Super Lynx 300 helicopters to a key customer in the southern Mediterranean area'.


The order follows on from a deal believed to have been made in November 2007 for four Super Lynx and six AW101 Merlins. The aircraft were purchased for the SAR role, and Algerian crews for the two types were trained in the UK.

All the aircraft from that deal have now been delivered and carrying out their mission in Algeria.

Details of the new order are sketchy, but the aircraft are expected to operate from two new MAKO 200-class frigates ordered from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems as part of a wide-ranging modernisation of the Algerian Navy.


The six extra Super Lynx will be built at AgustaWestland's Yeovil factory. AgustaWestland has never publicly announced any deal with Algeria and does not comment on helicopter sales to that country.


The company is understood to be the supplier of choice for wide-ranging modernisation of helicopters to Algeria's public services including its Gendarmerie and Civil Protection agencies, which have purchased AW109 and AW139 helicopters. The same results document also reveals the sale of five AW169s to a UAE government customer.