Chinook helicopters delayed

Won't be in service until 2011 at the earliest. Pity. By that time, if we (ISAF including Canadians) are being successful, and if necessary Afghan forces have been raised, trained and equipped, Canada should have a much smaller commitment in Afstan.

Canada's new transport helicopters will not be battle ready until well into 2011, more than two years after the country's military mission in Afghanistan is scheduled to end and five years after the purchase was announced.

Federal government and industry officials said the contract for the 16 Chinook helicopters has been delayed and the installation of anti-missile and other defensive equipment will further put back their delivery.

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor announced plans to acquire the helicopters last June as part of a major series of military purchases. In a speech in Edmonton at the time, Mr. O'Connor gave the sense the Boeing-built helicopters would be used in Afghanistan, where dozens of soldiers have died after driving over explosive devices.

"Overseas, the helicopters will reduce our reliance on allies and protect our troops on dangerous missions. They will reduce cases in which our men and women in uniform must drive overland, exposing themselves to the risk of ambush, land mines and improvised bombs," Mr. O'Connor said of the helicopters capable of carrying a 30-troop platoon in full combat gear.

But federal officials said the contract for the new medium- and heavy-lift helicopters -- worth $4.7-billion over 20 years -- has been delayed because of the complicated negotiations for the add-ons and is not expected to be signed until early next year.

The deal calls for the first Chinook to be delivered in early 2011, but officials said the aircraft will not be combat ready and will need upgrades before going overseas...

Chinooks usually fly alongside attack helicopters, which provide protection, but the Canadian Forces do not have these escort aircraft. As a result, Ottawa is negotiating with Boeing to add further defensive aids such as radar and infrared sensors on their Chinooks and extra gas tanks to carry the extra weight, which will take up to 12 months to install, sources said.

A defence official said the helicopters are not specifically geared toward the current military mission in Afghanistan.

"Afghanistan did not motivate this purchase," the official said. "A medium- to heavy-lift helicopter capability will allow the Canadian Forces to reach remote locations in a wider range of geographic areas and challenging environments inaccessible by ground-based transport or fixed-wing aircraft, both at home and around the world."..

The Canadian Army is doing its bit helping the Afghan National Army.

Update: Babbling makes a good point on Mr Leblanc's reporting.