Ottawa will spend $4.7 billion to purchase and maintain 16 new military helicopters, the defence minister said Wednesday.
U.S. soldiers take cover as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter takes off, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, June 18, 2006. (Rodrigo Abd/ Associated Press) The amount is part of $15 billion being announced this week for new equipment for the Canadian Forces. Of the $4.7 billion, $2 billion will cover the purchase of the helicopters and the rest will go toward their maintenance for about 20 years.
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor said in Edmonton that the helicopters will reduce the risk to troops having to travel by land through explosive-laden terrain in war zones like Afghanistan.
Although the government will put a contract out for tender, Ottawa is expected to go with the American-made Chinook, known as a heavy-lift helicopter.
The Chinook is considered very versatile and carry up to 44 soldiers and equipment over significant distances.
The helicopter can be used for a number of missions, including search and rescue operations, medical evacuations and parachute drops.
This is the third consecutive day that O'Connor has announced defence spending.
On Tuesday, he promised the military 2,300 new high-tech logistics trucks at a cost of $1.2-billion.
In Halifax on Monday, O'Connor announced a $2.1-billion plan to build three navy supply ships.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/06/28/military-spending.html
Finally. Something for the army, the navy and the airforce. After these annoucements I thought about voting conservative just because of their military record next election, I thought about it for two seconds instead of a usual one and said Nah. However, good job for the conservatives the second thing they did right.
U.S. soldiers take cover as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter takes off, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Sunday, June 18, 2006. (Rodrigo Abd/ Associated Press) The amount is part of $15 billion being announced this week for new equipment for the Canadian Forces. Of the $4.7 billion, $2 billion will cover the purchase of the helicopters and the rest will go toward their maintenance for about 20 years.
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor said in Edmonton that the helicopters will reduce the risk to troops having to travel by land through explosive-laden terrain in war zones like Afghanistan.
Although the government will put a contract out for tender, Ottawa is expected to go with the American-made Chinook, known as a heavy-lift helicopter.
The Chinook is considered very versatile and carry up to 44 soldiers and equipment over significant distances.
The helicopter can be used for a number of missions, including search and rescue operations, medical evacuations and parachute drops.
This is the third consecutive day that O'Connor has announced defence spending.
On Tuesday, he promised the military 2,300 new high-tech logistics trucks at a cost of $1.2-billion.
In Halifax on Monday, O'Connor announced a $2.1-billion plan to build three navy supply ships.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/06/28/military-spending.html
Finally. Something for the army, the navy and the airforce. After these annoucements I thought about voting conservative just because of their military record next election, I thought about it for two seconds instead of a usual one and said Nah. However, good job for the conservatives the second thing they did right.
