Eurocopter builds NH90 military helicopters and is already proposing to sell them to the Canadian Forces.

But on Wednesday, Eurocopter vice president Philippe Harache appeared at a news conference to announce the formation of a new consortium -- headed by Lockheed Martin Canada -- which is offering what it calls the MH90 helicopter.

He said the mainframe of the MH90, of which five prototypes have been produced, was the same as the NH90 with the main differences between the two being the integrated systems used aboard the helicopter.

"We are just producing the platform (helicopter hardware)," said Harache. "So, as long as one of our two partnerships win the contract, we will be happy," Harache said in an interview.

The SeaKings, all over 30 years of age, have had a troubled safety and reliability record lately.

The British-Italian AgustaWestland group originally made a successful 10 billion dollar (6.7 billion US) bid to replace all of Canada's SeaKing, but that contract was cancelled by Prime Minister Jean Chretien when he led his Liberal party to victory in the 1992 election. It is still in competition for the contract.

The Canadian government is expected to make its final decision on which helicopter to buy within a few months.

SPACE.WIRE