Re: 鈥淟iberals鈥� fighter jet plan under watchdog鈥檚 probe,鈥� Nov. 20.
The procurement fiasco of the Sea King helicopter replacement is being repeated with the CF-18 aircraft replacement.
In 1987, the government announced the purchase of EH-101 helicopters to replace the Sea Kings, and in 1993, following a change of government, the order was cancelled, resulting in $500 million in cancellation fees. Many years later and many issues resolved, the Cyclones have started to be delivered.
The fighter-jet replacement process is a repeat performance.
The procurement process to replace the CF-18s was started in 1997. Today, still no jets, not even a choice as to which aircraft will be procured.
In 2010, the government announced it intended to procure F-35s to replace the CF-18s, and in 2015, following a change of government, it was decided not to buy the F-35.
As an interim measure, the government decided to buy 18 used Australian F-18 aircraft, for $500 million, to keep our own fleet of similar aircraft flying until a full competition can be held.
Still no decision regarding which aircraft will be procured, and yet over the past 20 years, governments have spent more than $500 million for the development of the F-35. Should the replacement jets not be the F-35, sa国际传媒 would have nothing to show for all that money.
It is indeed a rerun of sa国际传媒鈥檚 defence-procurement ineptness, at great costs, with billions of tax dollars wasted.
Roger Cyr
Victoria
