Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ghost Of Sea King Replacement Haunts Trudeau's F-35 Stealth Fighter Pledge

The Canadian Press, 22 Sep, 2015 12:34 PM
    OTTAWA — The last time a prospective Liberal government promised to cancel a pricey military program it led to a procurement odyssey that stretched more than 20 years, something defence experts say Justin Trudeau would have to avoid with the F-35.
     
    Jean Chretien's 1993 campaign promise to cancel the air force's planned acquisition of EH-101 maritime helicopters had a profound effect on both the military and the defence establishment.
     
    It cost the federal treasury up to $500 million in contract cancellation penalties, soured the relationship with manufacturer Agusta Westland, and left the air force with a fleet of aging CH-124 Sea King helicopters that it's still struggling to replace today after a series of development delays with the chosen successor, the CH-148 Cyclone.
     
    Trudeau's pledge to back out of the F-35 program would not mean contract penalties since there is no signed agreement to break. 
     
    But it has the potential of affecting up to 33 Canadian aerospace companies working on the stealth fighter and future work doled out by Lockheed Martin, the world's biggest defence contractor.
     
    Defence experts, such as former military procurement boss Alan Williams, say the key for Trudeau would be to open up bids quickly after forming government and signing a contract within two years.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Quebec Wants Bolder Greenhouse Gas Cuts By 2030

    Quebec Wants Bolder Greenhouse Gas Cuts By 2030
    Quebec has introduced bolder targets for greenhouse-gas reductions by 2030.

    Quebec Wants Bolder Greenhouse Gas Cuts By 2030

    Anaheim Ducks Player Clayton Stoner Charged With Illegal Grizzly Hunt In B.C. Backcountry

    Anaheim Ducks Player Clayton Stoner Charged With Illegal Grizzly Hunt In B.C. Backcountry
    Clayton Stoner of the Anaheim Ducks is accused of two counts of knowingly making a false statement to obtain a hunting licence.

    Anaheim Ducks Player Clayton Stoner Charged With Illegal Grizzly Hunt In B.C. Backcountry

    Chilliwack Parents Drop Fight To Treat Baby With Cannabis Oil As She Breathes On Her Own

    Chilliwack Parents Drop Fight To Treat Baby With Cannabis Oil As She Breathes On Her Own
    Justin Pierce and Michelle Arnold withdrew their application to share custody of their five-month-old daughter with B.C.'s Ministry of Children and Family Development

    Chilliwack Parents Drop Fight To Treat Baby With Cannabis Oil As She Breathes On Her Own

    Man Charged With Second-Degree Murder In Death Of Nova Scotia Police Officer Catherine Campbell

    Man Charged With Second-Degree Murder In Death Of Nova Scotia Police Officer Catherine Campbell
    Halifax police say Christopher Calvin Garnier is also charged with indecently interfering with a dead body

    Man Charged With Second-Degree Murder In Death Of Nova Scotia Police Officer Catherine Campbell

    Manitoba Government Is Pledging More Money To Help Syrian Refugees

    Manitoba Government Is Pledging More Money To Help Syrian Refugees
    Premier Greg Selinger says $200,000 is being given immediately to groups helping the refugees on the front lines overseas.

    Manitoba Government Is Pledging More Money To Help Syrian Refugees

    'Culture Days' At SFU To Mark 101 Years Of Indians In Canada

    'Culture Days' At SFU To Mark 101 Years Of Indians In Canada
    Canada will celebrate "Culture Days" during an ongoing exhibition at the library of Simon Fraser University in Burnaby from September 25-27

    'Culture Days' At SFU To Mark 101 Years Of Indians In Canada