Canadian news sources reported recently that the Canadian government is considering ending a five-year-old, $5 billion contract with Sikorsky to replace Canada’s fleet of Sikorsky Sea King helicopters with smaller, cheaper helicopters.
Stratford-based Sikorsky, the largest employer in Fairfield County, offered no response as of press time.
The replacement plan dates to the 1980s and reports universally referred to the current choppers as “the aging Sea King fleet.”
Delivery of the 28 Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, designed for the Canadian military to replace the Sea Kings for shipboard duties, was originally planned for 2009, but has been delayed.
The Canadian Broadcasting Co. said another pair of rival helicopter manufacturers were asked to provide information about possible alternatives to the CH-148 Cyclone, including two “much smaller choppers that could save the government billions.”
Executives of helicopter-makers Augusta Westland, NH Industries and Sikorsky reportedly made their pitches in Ottawa in early October.
The government reportedly wants new bids submitted by Oct 22. The 25-year procurement process was labeled by a former Canadian Defence chief “the worst in the history of Canada.”
I find the media outlets often leap forward based on circumstantial evidence. After looking into this, I think it is possible they are right. But it is equally possible some folks at DND and/or PWGSC and/or the Government are trying o determine a way to accept the current state of the CH-148, with possible block upgrades later.
For example, if none of the researched helos offer better compliance to the Statement of Operational Intent than the Cyclone does now, why spend more? Just take them as they are, and incrementally improve them over time.
I think it is a way to provide the public with proof of due diligence on a decision to relax requirements for Sikorsky et. al., and to get much needed equipment to our Forces.