"Leonardo has its AW159 helicopter and is considering a bid," the source said.

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has launched an open bid for a second batch of anti-submarine warfare helicopters that will run until August 16, DAPA said on its web page.

The bid is for 12 naval helicopters and could be worth more than $800 million, according to media reports.

(Reporting by Stephen Jewkes; editing by Jason Neely)