C-130J: That was last year for both Conservatives and Liberals

[MarkOttawa]

News today--"Jilted military Airbus contractor wants review":
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/546899.html

"The Tory government flew into a political storm Tuesday as Opposition parties and a jilted defence contractor complained the purchase of new military cargo planes is proceeding with little regard for taxpayer dollars.

A European aircraft-maker, Airbus Military, made an unusual public plea for the Defence Department to look at the firm’s military transport planes, saying the purchase of the A-400M would save the government $3 billion...

All three Opposition parties peppered Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor with repeated questions in the Commons on Tuesday about the sole-sourcing of both contracts with Chicago-based Boeing Aircraft and now Lockheed-Martin [C-130J]...

...Liberal defence critic Ujjal Dosanjh said the specifications for the contract were designed to eliminate all competitors except Lockheed-Martin..."

News November 2005--"$4.6 billion tabbed to buy military transport planes":
http://www.canada.com/national/story.html?id=d1d91e61-974d-4f66-bf86-fe16e73b126f

'The federal government tried to rebut claims that the fix is in for Lockheed Martin's C-130J by appointing an independent monitor to oversee the procurement of up to $5 billion worth of military transport aircraft.

With lobbyists already in full-blitz mode, Defence Minister Bill Graham said Monday he's going ahead with a "competitive, fair and transparent" plan to buy 16 replacements for the military's aging fleet of Hercules planes.

The process will be fast -- the one-page statement of performance requirements will go out in 10 days and bidders will have just 30 days to study it...

The Tory defence critic, retired general Gordon O'Connor, said his party will review the decision if it wins the election. He said there's no doubt the military needs airlift, but the process announced Monday may not be the answer...'

Plus ça change...in Canadian politics. Too silly. And these clowns should be allowed to look seriously at national security?

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Journeyman]

News today--"Jilted military Airbus contractor wants review":
Opposition parties and a jilted defence contractor complained the purchase of new military cargo planes is proceeding with little regard for taxpayer dollars.

Pot? Kettle? Noir?
Perhaps it's time for another review - - they don't add much to the tax bill  :

 

[Reccesoldier]

Jeebus, the media is so hell bent on getting the Libs back they are still referring to the MND as the "torry defence critic"

: :threat:

 

[karl28]

        I am no expert on this subject  but why is opposition making such a big deal about this .  The only thing I can think of is the obvious to try and score voter points sad really .      Politics have no business in being involved  with buying new equipment for the military if the troops need the equipment give it to them  but that's just my two cents worth

 

[a_majoor]

A European aircraft-maker, Airbus Military, made an unusual public plea for the Defence Department to look at the firm’s military transport planes, saying the purchase of the A-400M would save the government $3 billion...

Since the plane does not even exist yet, of couse they can quote a cheaper price. Message to Airbus and Defence critics: talk to us when there is a real A-400 sitting on the ramp in Ottawa or Trenton that we can take for a test flight!

Looking at the implosion of the A-380 super jumbo program, I would be very hesitant to go to Airbus right now.......

 

[Mithras]

Jeebus, the media is so hell bent on getting the Libs back they are still referring to the MND as the "torry defence critic"

: :threat:

Actually MarkOttawa posted two news stories, one recent and one old.  The one you are referencing is from Nov. 2005.

As for Airbus' complaint.. do we not have a timetable for when we want these new planes?  Would Airbus even be able to meet that requirement?  And as a_majoor stated the airplane is still in the paper phase, there is no actual plane.

Here is a link to another article on the same subject: Airbus tries to get hearing from feds

What is interesting about the above linked story is the following statement:

"It's likely these planes are going to turn out to be lemons just like the Victoria-class submarines," said Black, referring to U.S. and British industry reports suggesting the latest version of the Hercules, a Cold War work horse, is beset with glitches and certification delays.

One would think a variant of a tried and tested workhorse would have less issues than a whole new plane.

 

[NL_engineer]

Lets see, we want the planes now; why the hell would we wait 5+ years for airbus to delver.  Especially when Lockheed has a production line these planes open?

: at Airbus

 

[Loachman]

By the time that the first A-400M MIGHT be ready for delivery, presuming that there are no further delays and that it works, there won't be more than a handful of Hercs left in flyable condition.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

O'Conner also represented Airbus for awhile if I recall correctly, so the Libs can't say they are biased.


The Liberals want Airbus to get the contract, so they can milk it for their party coffers if they get in again.

 

[cplcaldwell]

O'Conner also represented Airbus for awhile if I recall correctly, so the Libs can't say they are biased.

2001 to 2004 in fact.

Pushing the A400M was one of his main tasks.

 

[Haggis]

By the time that the first A-400M MIGHT be ready for delivery, presuming that there are no further delays and that it works, there won't be more than a handful of Hercs left in flyable condition.

This way, the Liberals have plausible explanantion for not sending Canadian troops anywhere any more.  After all, they will be in power by them (says Stephane Dion) and they certainly never intended for Canadians go somewhere and to actually FIGHT like they did in Afghanistan.

 

[MarkOttawa]

More on EADS/Airbus:

Police raid EADS, Lagardère as probe intensifies
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061213.RTICKERMAIN13/TPStory/Business

The Airbus saga: Hubris and haste snarled the A380
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/11/business/airbus.php

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Colin Parkinson]

 

[Kirkhill]

Over 180 C-130J and C-130J-30 aircraft have been ordered and over 121 delivered. Orders are: US Air Force, Air National Guard, Marine Corps and Coastguard (89 x C-130J and C-130J-30, 20 x KC-130J tankers), UK (ten x C-130J, 15 x C-130J-30, all delivered), Italian Air Force (12 x C-130J, ten x C-130J-30 all delivered), Royal Australian Air Force (12 x C-130J), Kuwaiti Air Force (four x C-130J-30) and Danish Air Force (three x C-130J-30, all delivered, plus one ordered in July 2004).

http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/hercules/

121 delivered - and flying - with follow-on orders.

On what grounds should we consider it "likely to be a lemon"?