Gov't scuttles ship replacement program

[CD]

Navy's support ship replacement program and new coast guard ships quietly scuttled

22 Aug, 11:46 PM

OTTAWA - The Conservative government has quietly scuttled the navy's $2.9 billion project to replace its aging supply ships, saying bids from the shipbuilding industry were "significantly" higher than the money set aside for the program.

It has also cancelled a tender call for the purchase of 12 mid-shore patrol ships for the coast guard.

The decisions were announced in a statement issued at 8:30 Friday night by Public Works Minister Christian Paradis.

"These vessels are a key priority of the Government of Canada," Paradis said in the release.

"However, the government must ensure that Canadian taxpayers receive the best value for their money."

Both National Defence and the Fisheries and Oceans Department are considering "the next steps," Paradis added.

But the decision to halt the Joint Support Ship project is a major blow to a navy that is already struggling to keep its existing 1960s vintage replenishment ships - HMCS Preserver and Protecteur - in the water.

The "tankers," as they are known in the navy, are vital to keeping warships supplied with fuel, ammunition, spare parts and supplies during long overseas operations.

Both were expected to reach the end of their service life between 2010 and 2012, but Friday's decision means they will likely have to remain at sea longer.

No one at the Defence Department was available to comment late Friday night.

The program to acquire three new multi-role ships was announced in Halifax in June 2006 by former defence minister Gordon O'Connor. The announcement was heralded at the time as the beginning of a new era for the navy.

Almost right from the beginning the plan ran into trouble as designers tried to incorporate everything into the ships that naval planners had requested.

The ships were expected to function as resupply vessels, cargo carriers for the army, a floating headquarters and possibly a hospital ship, depending upon the mission assigned.

Defence sources say the two consortiums that were bidding basically determined the ships could not be built for the amount of money the Conservative government had set aside.

Within the navy proposals were kicked around to cut the number of ships to two, but it was ultimately determined not to be practical from an operational point of view, said the sources who spoke on background.

The decision is also a blow to the coast guard.

Last year, Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn announced $324 million had been aside for the purchase and maintenance of six new vessels for the coast guard fleet.

Among those plans was the purchase of 12 new mid-shore patrol vessels.

They were to be used primarily for fisheries conservation and protection duties in the Maritime, Quebec and Pacific regions.

But at least four of the ships were to be tasked for maritime security duties on the St. Lawrence Seaway-Great Lakes system.

[C23flyer]

I'm sure we could find something on eBay.

[CD]

Or, like our top-of-the-line submarines, perhaps another "gently used" option is available from the UK?

[yyz monkey]

Coincidentally enough, the news ticker on CTV NewsNet was running a blurb about how the federal budget had edged back into the black at the same time they were running the full story about the ships.

[WJflyer]

That's what happens when you try to build a one of a kind wonder ship that can do everything... it would have been more economical to purchase a off the shelf AOR from another nation (say Germany with their Berlin class AOR's or the Spanish Cantabria AOR) and Canadianize if necessary.

[xsbank]

Just let the US do it - they want the Arctic anyway so if we just give it to 'em we won't even have to base an F18 in Inuvic anymore. They are the ones who answer any calls for Coast Guard helicopters on the West Coast coz they always have one in the air. Save the money and use it on the gun registry.

[. ._]

It would be better to blow money on some kick-ass icebreakers and search and rescue, IMHO.

Once the Northwest Passage is being used for oil tankers, there's gonna be a lot of people up there that will need rescue services or navigation help so the waters don't turn black.

-istp

[Hedley]

It would be better to blow money ...

That reminds me. I met a guy, building a hangar at
our airport. Nice enough guy, turns out he has a PhD
and is employed by the government.

I was nonplussed. Why on earth would the government
need somebody who was intelligent enough to acquire
a PhD?

Our government quite consistently does stupid - and
on occasion, really malicious - things, neither of which
really requires a PhD.

What a waste having a PhD in their employ. Just think
of what he could be doing in the private sector.

[WJflyer]

It would be better to blow money on some kick-ass icebreakers and search and rescue, IMHO.

Once the Northwest Passage is being used for oil tankers, there's gonna be a lot of people up there that will need rescue services or navigation help so the waters don't turn black.

-istp

You will still need the supply ships to ensure that such icebreakers have the fuel and the supplies to deploy for long periods of time...

As they say, amateurs talk about strategy, dilettantes talk about tactics, and professionals talk about logistics.