Features Military Procurements
Critics slam idea of buying Obama’s helicopters

May 7, 2013, Ottawa – Critics are slamming the Harper government for taking
another look at using some helicopters bought for parts from the
United States to bolster the country's search and rescue fleet.

New Democrat defence critic Jack Harris says it shows bad
planning on the part of the government.

And Liberal Bob Rae says it's an indication of how ill-prepared
Canada is to deal with its aging fleet of search and rescue
choppers.

The helicopters were from U-S President Barack Obama's cast-off
fleet, to be used for parts for Canada's search and rescue choppers.

The Canadian Press has learned Defence Minister Peter MacKay
recently ordered his department to take another look at whether some
of the nine aircraft can be made fully operational.

Both the air force and the department's material branch have
insisted the American helicopters were only suitable for spare
parts.

The aircraft were bought for 164 million dollars to help keep
Canada's fleet of often-broken CH-149 Cormorant rescue choppers in
the air.