Ottawa and Sikorsky in ‘advanced stages’ of talks on troubled Cyclone program

OTTAWA – The Harper government appears to have cooled on the idea of scrapping the purchase of Cyclone helicopters, and is back negotiating with the manufacturer to salvage the troubled $5.7-billion program.

The plan to acquire 28 maritime choppers to replace the 50-year-old Sea Kings, which fly from the decks of Canadian warships, is years behind schedule, billions over budget and apparently beset with technical glitches.

Earlier this fall, Public Works indicated it was looking at other aircraft because manufacturer Sikorsky had only delivered four test helicopters, which National Defence has refused to formally accept.

Louis Chenevert, the chairman of Sikorsky owners United Technologies Corp., says the company is in “productive” discussions with Canada on the Cyclone program that are in the “advanced stages.”

Public Works Minister Diane Finley says the government is in “discussions” with Sikorsky to see if they can put together a plan to go forward, but it remains unclear what that entails.