VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Replacements for the Canadian military's aging fleet of Sea King helicopters will not start arriving until November 2010, two years later than planned, officials said on Tuesday.
The government has revised its contract with Sikorsky International, which had warned in January that it would not be able to meet deadline of November 2008 to start delivering the 28 aircraft used by Canada's navy.
'This project is large and complex procurement with many factors affecting the delivery schedule. The government has determined that the delays experienced were largely outside of the control of the contractor,' the National Defense department said.
Sikorsky is a unit of United Technologies Corp.
Canada signed a deal in 2004 to purchase the Cyclone helicopters, and officials said the revised contract will keep the cost within the original C$5 billion budget. The contract includes a 20-year deal for service and crew training.
Canadian media had reported Ottawa was talking to Sikorsky about making changes in the aircraft's engines and landing gear designs that were not part of the original contract. That contract also allowed Ottawa to fine Sikorsky up to C$36 million for delivery delays.
Canada's existing Sea King Helicopter fleet is more than 40 years old.
(Reporting Allan Dowd; Editing by Frank McGurty) Keywords: CANADA HELICOPTERS/ (allan.dowd@thomsonreuters.com; 1+604 664 7314; Messaging: allan.dowd.reuters.com@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The government has revised its contract with Sikorsky International, which had warned in January that it would not be able to meet deadline of November 2008 to start delivering the 28 aircraft used by Canada's navy.
'This project is large and complex procurement with many factors affecting the delivery schedule. The government has determined that the delays experienced were largely outside of the control of the contractor,' the National Defense department said.
Sikorsky is a unit of United Technologies Corp.
Canada signed a deal in 2004 to purchase the Cyclone helicopters, and officials said the revised contract will keep the cost within the original C$5 billion budget. The contract includes a 20-year deal for service and crew training.
Canadian media had reported Ottawa was talking to Sikorsky about making changes in the aircraft's engines and landing gear designs that were not part of the original contract. That contract also allowed Ottawa to fine Sikorsky up to C$36 million for delivery delays.
Canada's existing Sea King Helicopter fleet is more than 40 years old.
(Reporting Allan Dowd; Editing by Frank McGurty) Keywords: CANADA HELICOPTERS/ (allan.dowd@thomsonreuters.com; 1+604 664 7314; Messaging: allan.dowd.reuters.com@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.