WATCH: It’s officially the beginning of the end for the Sea King Helicopter. The acquisition of new military aircrafts has spanned decades. Today, the federal government took possession of the first few Cyclone helicopters. Global’s Natasha Pace reports.
HALIFAX – After more than a decade waiting, the Government of Canada has officially taken possession of six new CH-148 Cyclone Helicopters.
“We are truly making history on what is a good news day. For not only this wing, but for the entire Canadian Armed Forces and our entire country,” says Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia.
The Cyclones will eventually replace the current fleet of Sea King helicopters. The Sea Kings are more than 50-years-old and have had their share of problems over the last few years, including several emergency landings.
The Cyclones made headlines last year when it was discovered they did not have the ability to fly 30-minutes without any lubricant in it’s main gearbox. That’s a measure that was re-enforced following the 2009 crash of a Sikorsky helicopter travelling to Newfoundland from an offshore oil platform. 17 of 18 people aboard the aircraft perished in that crash.
The Vice President of Sikorsky told Global News that flight safety of the Cyclone is “not an issue” on Friday.
“These aircrafts are totally safe,” says Bill Gostic. “They comply with the requirements of the contract and the gearbox also complies with the FAA and Transport Canada requirements.”
The government may have just taken possession of the new helicopters, but they’re already years overdue and over-budget. The first delivery of the fleet was supposed to happen in 2008. The total cost for choppers is now pegged at $7.6 billion dollars.
The remaining 22 helicopters are expected to join the new fleet of Cyclone helicopters by December of 2021. Officials say some of the Cyclones will be operational next summer.
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