And the aircrew of our Hercules transport aircraft can now breathe a sigh of relief that they are finally getting replacements for their worn out aircraft.
Government to announce purchase of new Hercules planes
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 | 11:04 AM ET
CBC News
The federal government is expected to confirm Wednesday the $4.6 billion purchase of 17 new Hercules transport planes to replace the air force's aging fleet.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Public Works Minister Michael Fortier will be in Ottawa to announce a deal has been signed with the U.S.-based aircraft manufacturer Lockheed-Martin.
One of the Canadian military's aging Hercules makes a supply run in Northern Ontario. One of the Canadian military's aging Hercules makes a supply run in Northern Ontario.
(Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
More than a year ago, the Conservative government invoked a national security clause in procurement legislation and negotiated exclusively with the U.S. defence giant.
Delivery of the first C-130J Hercules — the new and upgraded version of the aging carrier — is expected within 36 months.
In 2006, then defence minister Gordon O'Connor launched a rearmament drive to replacement the C-130E and C-130H planes. Most were built more than 30 years ago and have been flown from the Arctic to Afghanistan.
The Hercules, considered one of the world's most successful military transports, can carry 17 tonnes of cargo or 90 soldiers with light equipment. Canada operates some of the oldest C-130s in military service anywhere.
The cost of the new aircraft includes $1.7 billion for a 20-year maintenance package. Canadian defence contractors have been upset that Lockheed would also be responsible for the maintenance contract.
But Public Works has been demanding that 75 per cent of the long-term maintenance work be carried out by Canadian defence contractors, the Canadian Press reported. The other 25 per cent can be done by U.S. firms.
MacKay and Fortier are expected to give themselves up to 12 months to negotiate the support deal, defence insiders told the Canadian Press.
With files from the Canadian Press
wtf_over wrote:Well I for one think their making a mistake by not going with the C-208
Actually, I think the DHC3T if anything should be, not the Caravan....studies on this forum show that the Otter is far superior to anything the 208(b) can do......
Canada signs $1.4bn contract for 17 Lockheed Martin C-130Js
By Graham Warwick
Canada has signed a $1.4 billion contract for 17 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 tactical airlifters. Deliveries are to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Announcing finalisation of the contract, Public Works and Government Services Canada minister Michael Fortier said the procurement will meet Canada's "dire need" for new tactical airlifters. "The airlift requirements of the Canadian Forces is a top priority," said defence minister Peter Gordon MacKay.
The C-130Js are the second of three new airlift procurements announced by Canada in 2006. Under the first procurement, for strategic transports, Boeing was awarded a $869 million contract in February 2007 for four C-17s. The first aircraft was delivered in August and the last will arrive this year.
The third procurement is for medium/heavy-lift helicopters. Canada plans to issue a request for proposals to Boeing by the second quarter for CH-47F Chinooks, with contract award expected by the end of 2008. The company will be required to deliver the first helicopter 36 months after contract and the last within 60 months.
The C-130J procurement sparked political controversy, with accusations the process used avoided a competition. Canada began by issuing a solicitation of interest and qualification requiring any potential bidders to demonstrate their ability to meet mandatory high-level performance criteria. including delivery schedules.
Although EADS offered the Airbus Military A400M, only the C-130J bid was judged compliant, and a request for proposals was issued to Lockheed in August 2007. The contract was signed in late December, with the first aircraft to be delivered within 36 months and the last within 60 months.
Lockheed is now required to establish a 20-year in-service support programme for the C-130Js. Under the terms of the contract, the US manufacturer is required conduct a series of competitions to select Canadian companies to perform the in-service support. A second contract covering the 20 years of support is to be signed in 2009.
The Ottawa government says Lockheed is required to invest in Canada 100% of what the country spends on procuring and maintaining the C-130Js over the life of the contract. "Under the in-service support portion, the contractor will be required to spend in Canada 75% of the total cost in direct industrial regional benefits," said Fortier.
A similar 20-year in-service support arrangement is to be put in place for the CH-47s, but Canada is using the existing US Air Force support system for its C-17s
Government of Canada awards Tactical Airlift Contract
January 16, 2008
News Photo
A United States Marine Corps C-130J Hercules aircraft in flight, banking to starboard. The C-130J will become Canada's premier tactical airlifter. Credit: Lockheed Martin, all rights reserved.
The Government of Canada has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin Corporation for the acquisition of the Canadian Forces new tactical lift aircraft.
Tactical airlift is the lifeline of the Canadian Forces, providing reliable aircraft to quickly and safely carry passengers, heavy equipment and supplies over long distances in support of operations, or in response to crises, such as natural disasters.
The purchase contract for 17 C-130J Hercules aircraft is valued at approximately $1.4 billion U.S., with an additional amount to be added in 2009 for 20 years of in-service support.
Under the contract, Lockheed Martin Corp. is required to invest in the Canadian economy, dollar for dollar, what the Government of Canada spends in procuring and maintaining the aircraft over the life of the contract.
Read the full announcement here.
For more information, see the Tactical Airlift backgrounder available at: http://www.forces.gc.ca/.
