Military studies if Sea Kings can carry on, as Sikorsky choppers uncertain

The original retirement date for the aging choppers had been set at 2012, but delivery of replacement Sikorsky helicopters could be delayed.

In a telephone interview Wednesday evening, MacKay said defence staff are now examining whether the aging Sea Kings can keep flying.

"We have to explore all our options and that includes, first and foremost, that our helicopters are safe to fly, that is the current fleet," said the minister, who was in Kingston, Ont.

"The bottom line is we are not going to have pilots in unsafe aircraft and so that requires a very detailed and in-depth study of the necessary upgrade and servicing to Sea Kings to ensure their safety."

The minister noted he's been told that Sikorsky has been saying it needs "a delay of 20 to 30 months."

Sikorsky Inc. had been slated to begin delivering 28 CH-148 Cyclones this coming January.

But with the federal government and Sikorsky in talks over a possible delay in the delivery of the Cyclone fleet-and media reports indicating Ottawa has considered cancelling the original $5.8-billion deal - military planners are once again considering their options for the Sea Kings.

MacKay said he expected talks with Sikorsky to continue over the next few days, adding that he intends to participate directly.

The defence minister refers to the contract with Sikorsky, signed by the former Liberal government in 2004, as one of the "stink bombs" of the Jean Chretien era that he's been left to clean up.

Lee Myrhaugen, the co-ordinator of a group that's been lobbying for new maritime helicopters, said the Sea Kings are safe, but they may soon have systems that are out of date.

"They've strengthened the structure of the fuselage itself at various stations where weak and cracked," the former Sea King squadron commander said on Wednesday. "From a pure flight safety point of view, it's extremely safe."

But he said there is a risk that the Sea King's navigation equipment, communications equipment and radar won't be compatible with the needs of a modern navy.

"Because the equipment is sometimes no longer supportable, the aircraft is bordering on redundancy," he said.

Myrhaugen said his worst fear is that the Air Force will conclude that the aircraft "can no longer support the ships that were made to carry them."

In that scenario, he would foresee the helicopters being grounded as the navy awaits the next generation of helicopters.

MacKay acknowledged such scenarios are "a concern."

"It's my job...to ensure we don't run into such a situation."

Larry McWha, another retired Sea King squadron commander, said "regardless of the length of the delay, the Sea Kings will have to be kept in service longer than planned."

"Unless immediate action has been taken or is being taken now with regard to extending or renewing a variety of Sea King support contracts, the delay will undoubtedly result in poorer aircraft availability," he said.

He argues it will also hurt the navy and its plans to upgrade its frigates.

"Once a ship has been modified to operate a new helicopter, it is no longer capable of operating a Sea King," he said.

"Therefore, any delay means that ship modification schedules will have to be rejigged."

Sikorsky was originally scheduled to deliver the helicopters by the end of November 2008. That deadline was later moved to January 2009.

Though the company has not confirmed how long the delay will be, The Canadian Press reported earlier this year that it would be as long as 30 months.

The reasons for the delays isn't known, although there has been speculation that a more powerful engine or a fifth rotor blade may be necessary for the helicopter.

The contract set penalties of $100,000 per day for late delivery, to a maximum of $36 million.

Sikorsky is now seeking extra funds to deliver the helicopter. Public Works Minister Michael Fortier has countered that Ottawa expects Sikorsky to find a way to meet its contract as signed.

Sikorsky spokesman Paul Jackson sent an e-mail on Wednesday evening stating "our discussions with the government continue to be productive and co-operative."

"We remain very optimistic that we will reach an agreement and get these highly sophisticated, highly capable aircraft fielded as soon as possible."

Added Jackson: "While our discussions remain ongoing, I do not want to compromise them by publicly discussing any details."

He would not confirm reports that Ottawa recently withheld a $200-million payment to the American firm.