BRIAN DUNN / MONTREAL
Programme faces further two-year delay and new RFP is not expected until mid-2003
Canada's troubled Maritime Helicopter Programme (MHP) faces a further two-year delay after the Canadian government decided to award a single airframe and mission system contract, reversing an earlier decision to split the deal. A new request for proposals (RFP) is not expected to be released until mid-2003 at the earliest.
Two years ago, Ottawa divided the C$2.9 billion ($1.9 billion) programme into separate helicopter platform and mission system contracts. Critics said this would complicate the programme and make the winning offer more expensive. Canadian defence minister David Callum now admits a single bid will save about C$400 million.
Ottawa says it split the contract to allow more companies to bid, but opposition politicians claim it was intended to delay the process to avoid embarrassing Prime Minister Jean Chretien before he leaves office in early 2004. The MHP has been mired in controversy since the 1993 cancellation of a C$5.8 billion order for 50 EH Industries EH101s.
The RFP for the airframe is already over a year late, but with a winning single tender not now expected to be decided before 2004, it will be at least 2007 before the first replacement machine for Canada's 40-year-old Sikorsky CH-124A Sea Kings will be delivered. The line-up of bidders remains the same and in many cases local teaming agreements with system integrators have been in place since before 2000.
Boeing and Bell are backing the EH101, while Bombardier and General Dynamics Canada are teamed with Sikorsky on the S-92. NH Industries is expected to decide between Agusta, the current NH90 Nato Frigate Helicopter system integrator, and Saab, just selected by Norway. A requirement for 40% local content could open the door on the NH90 to Lockheed Martin Canada and Thales, say sources.
Spoof armed forces recruitment advertisements (below) have appeared on the internet. Disaffected defence officials are thought to be behind them.
Source: Flight International
