Canada's Dilemma - Cyclones & F35's
Canada's Dilemma - Cyclones & F35's
The Cyclone program, which originally anticipated the
first helicopter being delivered in 2008, was meant
to catch up to the 1993 procurement of EH-101
helicopters, ordered by the Mulroney government, but
cancelled in 1993 by former prime minister Jean
Chretien.
At the time the Liberals committed to the Cyclones,
the helicopter was still in the development stage,
being upgraded to military specifications from the
less rugged civilian variant.
The report comes as an Ottawa-based think-tank urges
the Harper government to get tough with the U.S.
defence giant, and even look at alternative aircraft,
the way its doing with the equally contentious F-35
program.
The troubled Cyclone program has been a source of
frustration for the Conservatives, evident in June
when Defence Minister Peter MacKay referred to it as
"the worst procurement in the history of Canada."
Why are we so dependent on other countries for our
military equiptment. Canada was once a leader in
military aircraft with the Arrow. Now look at us. Why
spend billions on helicopters and jets from other
countries, build them here, look at all the jobs it
would create.
The Cyclone program, which originally anticipated the
first helicopter being delivered in 2008, was meant
to catch up to the 1993 procurement of EH-101
helicopters, ordered by the Mulroney government, but
cancelled in 1993 by former prime minister Jean
Chretien.
At the time the Liberals committed to the Cyclones,
the helicopter was still in the development stage,
being upgraded to military specifications from the
less rugged civilian variant.
The report comes as an Ottawa-based think-tank urges
the Harper government to get tough with the U.S.
defence giant, and even look at alternative aircraft,
the way its doing with the equally contentious F-35
program.
The troubled Cyclone program has been a source of
frustration for the Conservatives, evident in June
when Defence Minister Peter MacKay referred to it as
"the worst procurement in the history of Canada."
Why are we so dependent on other countries for our
military equiptment. Canada was once a leader in
military aircraft with the Arrow. Now look at us. Why
spend billions on helicopters and jets from other
countries, build them here, look at all the jobs it
would create.
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