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OTTAWA – The Harper government has reached a deal to amend its contract with the U.S.-manufacturer of the long-delayed Cyclone search and rescue helicopters.

The Canadian Press has learned the agreement with Sikorsky, which is still being vetted by government lawyers, paves the way for next year’s retirement of Canada’s aging fleet of Sea King choppers.

Public Works, which oversees the $5.7-billion project, announced in January the government would try to reach a revised agreement to allow for the delivery and gradual introduction of the yet-to-be proven helicopter.

So far, only four of the 28 aircraft, which were initially ordered in 2004, have been delivered for flight testing at the air base in Shearwater, N.S., near Halifax.

Defence and government sources say no additional money would be put into the program and Sikorsky would only get paid for the delivery of capable aircraft.

It will be early next month before all of the legal text of the agreement is signed by government officials.

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