This procurement had been mentioned earlier (and is part of the government’s intention to spend some $5.2 billion on CCG equipment over the next eleven years–see latter part of this post); now we have some, but not many, details:
Harper Government Launches Process to Modernize Coast Guard Helicopter Fleet
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, today announced that the Government of Canada is setting the stage for the purchase of new helicopters for the Canadian Coast Guard.
A Letter of Interest to invite aerospace representatives to an Industry Day has been posted on MERX, the government’s contracting website [see here, very vague], in order to begin engaging potential contractors in the procurement process. In line with other major federal procurement projects, the Canadian Coast Guard will work with Public Works and Government Services Canada to engage industry early and often throughout the procurement process.
“Helicopter air-support is a crucial component to the delivery of Coast Guard services and the maintenance of public safety,” said Minister Ashfield. “Renewing the Canadian Coast Guard fleet of helicopters will stimulate economic growth in the aerospace industry [might Bell Helicopters Canada–more here–effectively have a lock or will there be a real competition?], as well as create a variety of jobs and business opportunities.”
“I am pleased that we will be engaging with industry to help the Canadian Coast Guard define and provide the best equipment for our men and women in the field,” said Minister Ambrose.
The Canadian Coast Guard helicopter project aims to procure up to 24 helicopters over the next five years [emphasis added] to renew the capability of its existing fleet of helicopters and support the future missions of Canada’s new Polar Icebreaker, CCGS John G. Diefenbaker…
It’s interesting (curious?) that no total budget for the purchase is given.
See here and here for details on the CCG’s current fleet of 22 choppers, basically one-for-one replacement it looks like–will just one type of aircraft be chosen to replace the several now operated? By the way, the Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (BO-105-CBS) purchase by the Mulroney government was not without Schmiergeld controversy. Meanwhile this CCG site gives a useful overview of their current vessel and helicopter fleets.
One hopes this chopper acquisition proceeds more smoothly and timely than air force ones:
Mark Collins is a prolific Ottawa blogger
b9a2 Responses to “Mark Collins - Government Announces Plan to Buy New Helicopters for Canadian Coast Guard”
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August 27th, 2012 at 9:35 am
“…
The new procurement program will be for 24 CCG aircraft of two different types ( ‘light- lift’ and ‘medium-lift’ helicopters ) as well as a flight simulator – presumably one which can simulate either class of helicopters). The mix of helicopter classes is unannounced…”
http://www.casr.ca/doc-loi-ccg-helicopters.htm
Mark Collins
August 30th, 2012 at 1:53 pm
More:
“.
…A draft Request for Proposals would follow later in the year, followed by a formal RFP early in 2013 with a view to signing a contract next summer, which likely would mean first deliveries in 2014.
Potential light-twins are the AgustaWestland AW109, the Bell 429 and the Eurocopter EC135 or 145. The medium candidates would be the AW139, the Bell 412 and the EC175. Sikorsky could be expected to offer a modified S76D in the medium category and while it doesn’t have a light twin to put forward, it could partner with another manufacturer…”
http://www.frontline-canada.com/Defence/news/1496_CCG%20helicopters.php
I’d be amazed if those dates are met given this government’s procurement disabilities:
http://www.cdfai.org/the3dsblog/?p=1233
Mark Collins