Germany is in search to replace its navy's fleet of 22 Westland Sea Lynx anti-submarine warfare helicopters. There is no date for launching the procurement. The fleet is expected to retire in 2025. Sea Lynx fleet began to enter service from 1981 and there are only six aircraft deployable in 2017. Germany's federal procurement office is now developing several proposals for a successor aircraft. A request for proposals is not expected to be issued in 2018. Contenders for the requirement are likely to be the NH Industries NH90, the Leonardo Helicopters AW159 Wildcat, and the Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk.