Ottawa, Sikorsky in 'advanced stages' of talks on troubled Cyclone program

The Harper government appears to have cooled on the idea of scrapping the purchase of the air force's CH-148 Cyclone helicopters and is back in talks with the manufacturer to salvage the troubled $5.7-billion program.

The plan to acquire 28 maritime choppers to replace Canada's 50-year-old CH-124 Sea Kings — which fly from the decks of Canadian warships — is years behind schedule, billions of dollars over the anticipated budget, and apparently beset with technical glitches.

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

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