After 20 years of delays and political bickering, the government will spend $3.2 billion to replace its aging fleet of Sea King helicopters. It will buy 28, twin-engine Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, Defence Minister Bill Graham announced on Friday.

The new fleet of helicopters is currently available only in a civilian format. The first helicopter will be delivered by 2008 and the other 27 helicopters will be sent at a rate of one per month.

In the mean time, the problem-plagued Sea Kings may have to keep flying until at least 2012.

The Sikorsky S-92 civilian model(AP photo)
The Sikorsky S-92 civilian model(AP photo)

The Sikorsky is "the right helicopter for the Canadian Forces at the best price for Canadians," said Graham during his announcement at the Shearwater Naval Air Station near Halifax.

"The [helicopter] will enhance our national security by strengthening the Canadian Forces' ability to respond to emerging threats in Canada's maritime areas of jurisdiction," he added. "It will also help to ensure Canada maintains a meaningful capacity to contribute militarily to collective efforts to safeguard international peace and security."

The main competition for the contract came from the more expensive, three-engine EH-101 Cormorant, built by a British-Italian consortium.

Bill Graham at the Shearwater Naval Air Station, N.S.
Bill Graham at the Shearwater Naval Air Station, N.S.

Graham said the Sikorsky, dubbed the Cyclone, met the Canadian military's requirements at a lower cost, but airman Sgt. Phil Moffitt said given that the Canadian military is already flying 15 Cormorants, purchasing the more expensive helicopter would have been "better for cross training for technicians and air crew."

In 1987, the Canadian Defence Department recommended the government buy the Cormorant.

Canada is the only country to use the S-92 Sikorsky for military purposes, said the executive director of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, but at this point the Canadian military is probably "glad to get anything," said David Rudd.

In 1992, the Brian Mulroney government had decided to buy 50, EH-101 helicopters to replace the Sea Kings, but the $5.8 billion contract was ripped up by the Liberals when they came to power in 1993, calling the helicopters, "Cadillacs" the nation couldn't afford.

The Liberal government paid $500 million in penalties for backing out of that deal.

The 1960s-era Sea Kings require an enormous amount of maintenance to keep them flying. There have been four fatal crashes since they were brought into service.

The helicopter deal will provide $1 billion in subcontracts to Atlantic Canada, said Sikorsky Friday. It also plans to partner with 170 Canadian firms and generate $37 million to aboriginal businesses.