Fed: Government won't be rushed over helicopter decision: Nelson

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2007
Fed: Government won't be rushed over helicopter decision: Nelson

SYDNEY, April 17 AAP - A decision whether to dump a controversial plan to buy Seasprite
helicopters for Australia's navy will be made by the end of the year, Defence Minister
Brendan Nelson says.

The $1 billion project dates from 1997 when the government ordered 11 helicopters from
the US company Kaman to operate from Anzac frigates.

The expected delivery date of 2001 has been blown out to 2011, prompting the government
to reassess the order.

There have been problems with aircraft flight control systems but the major cause of
delay was in integrating the software combat system.

Dr Nelson has said he remained satisfied the navy still needed the capability for a
helicopter, flying from a frigate, to fire anti-ship missiles.

He told reporters in Sydney today that he has been reviewing the plan for more than
a year but will not rush the government's final decision.

"We're ensuring that all of the information, which is relevant to responsible decision-making,
is available to us before we do," he said.

"In the meantime, we continue to work with the company in seeing that the milestones
are being met."

He said the final decision would be made sometime this year.

AAP vpm/hn/jnb/bwl

KEYWORD: SEASPRITE NELSON

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