Court stops AFM helicopter tendering process

A temporary warrant of prohibitory injunction has been issued against the AFM, stopping it from proceeding further in a call for tenders for the procurement of a new maritime reconnaissance and rescue helicopter. The warrant was issued at the request of helicopter-maker Eurocopter, which is protesting that it was unfairly excluded from the bidding process and is seeking reconsideration. Eurocopter was excluded on administrative grounds after the contracts committee found that the company had not respected the conditions for the presentation of its bid. The other bidder is Westland. The AFM is seeking to buy one helicopter with an option for another two, to replace its ageing Alouette helicopters, donated by Libya in the mid 1980s. Funds from the European Borders Control Funds have been sources for the project.