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- Canadian Defence Policy, Foreign Policy, & Canada-US Relations -

In Detail —— the Maritime Helicopter Project ——

by ST Priestley

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Canadian Defence Procurement  —  updated and revised January 2004 Politics, Procurement Practices, and Procrastination: the Quarter-Century Sea King Helicopter Replacement Saga Part 10 — Contracts for the NSA Project ... ‘Buy Now! Do Not Pay Until 1995!’ Another change of cast occured in Ottawa before contracts were issued for the New Shipboard Aircraft. Marcel Masse moved into the minister’s chair while the former Chief of Defence Staff, Paul Manson, moved across the table to represent the key contractor, Paramax. Neither the appointment of Masse or the state of the Canadian economy inspired much confidence at the time. Many believed that the Tories, faced with a deficit and growing unemployment, might seize the chance to cancel the NSA. Instead, in July 1992, Masse placed an order for 50 EH-101s with Montreal-based Paramax Systems of Canada and Anglo-Italian EH Industries. The 35 Sea King replacements were designated CH-148 Petrel (the SAR variant was the CH-149 Chimo). The CF’s ASW helicopters were to be mechanically similar to those bought for Italy’s Marina Militaire [1] but their complex suite of avionics and other ASW equipment were to be distinctly Canadian. The first CF CH-148 Petrel was expected to enter squadron service in 1995. “My name is Might-have-been;  I am also called No-More, Too-late, Farewell.” Masse was replaced by Kim Campbell in 1993 – and what a year that was for the Tories.  By June, Campbell herself would be Prime Minister. The New Shipboard helicopters were an issue that would dog Campbell for the rest of her time in office. That $5.8B price tag caught most of the tax- paying citizenry off-guard.  The leader of the Opposition, Jean Chrétien, smelled an opportunity, attacking the NSA winner as an unnecessary “Cadillac”. As damage-control, Campbell cut the NSA order to 43 helicopters reducing the cost to $4.4B.  But, politically, the harm was done and the public turned a jaundiced eye on the NSA.  It did not help Tory credibility when Campbell suggested that an ASW capability could be vital if submarines were used to run the blockade of Haiti. [2] [1]  The Agusta-built EH-101s for the Marina Militaire are powered by GE CT-7 turboshafts. The Royal Navy and RAF Merlins use completely different engines. [2]  In the summer of 1993, the Canadian and US navies were blockading Haiti  (to force a military dictatorship from power). But, the very idea that submarines might run this blockade in support of the Haitian junta was absurd. The Sea Kings were active during that blockade but these CF choppers were inspecting surface ships. <  Part 9  —  Widening the ‘New Shipboard Aircraft Project’ Requirement >  Part 11 — Out With the Old, Out With the New:  the ’93 Federal Election