News Release

Government of Canada Awards Contracts to Sikorsky for New Canadian Forces Maritime Helicopter

NR–04.090 - November 23, 2004

OTTAWA — The Government of Canada today announced the signing of two separate but interrelated contracts with Sikorsky International Operations Inc. for the Maritime Helicopter Project.

The first contract, worth $1.8 billion, covers the acquisition of 28 fully integrated, certified and qualified helicopters with their mission systems installed.

The second contract, valued at $3.2 billion, is for the 20-year in-service support for the helicopters, and includes the construction of a training facility, as well as a simulation and training suite.

“The CH-148 Cyclone will provide our men and women in uniform with a helicopter that can perform the diverse and difficult roles required in today's global security environment,” said Defence Minister Bill Graham. “This acquisition is one that will provide significant economic benefits to Canadian companies from coast to coast for decades to come.”

“The awarding of these contracts marks the end of an extremely rigorous procurement process, through which Canada has purchased the right helicopter for the Canadian Forces at the best price for Canadians,” said the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services.

“The Canadian Forces are increasingly called upon to respond to challenging and complex operations throughout the world,” said General Ray Henault, Chief of the Defence Staff. “The CH-148 Cyclone provides us with a robust, multi-role helicopter that will support our maritime operations well into the future.”

Delivery of the first helicopter, to be called the CH-148 Cyclone, is required to be no later than November 2008, with the remaining helicopters to be delivered at a rate of one per month thereafter. The contract has a series of bonuses for early delivery but also imposes penalties for late delivery, making it very much in the company's interest to deliver the helicopters as soon as possible.

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For additional information on the Maritime Helicopter Project, please contact the Department of National Defence at (613) 996-2353/2354.

For information on the procurement process, please contact Public Works and Government Services Canada Communications at (613) 956-2315.

For more information, please contact:

Isabelle Savard
Communications Director
Office of the Minister of National Defence
(613) 996-3100

Renée David
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Brison
(819) 997-5421

For further information :

• The Maritime Helicopter Project
  Backgrounder - November 23, 2004