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Published Oct 24, 2023 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 4 minute read
U.S. government auditors have raised concerns about a shortage of parts and reliability issues for the very aircraft that Canada hopes to purchase in an $8 billion deal.
The Liberal government is involved in discussions for the proposed acquisition from the U.S. and Boeing of a fleet of P-8 surveillance aircraft to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CP-140 Aurora planes.
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But a November 2022 report to Congress from the U.S. Government Accountability Office has warned that there are ongoing problems getting enough parts for the P-8s as well as problems with the reliability of those components. “The unexpected replacement of parts and repairs has been a challenge for the program,” the GAO noted in its report.
“According to (P-8) program officials, the P-8A program has experienced unexpected replacement of parts and repairs, in addition to parts shortages and delays,” added the GAO, the top auditing agency of the U.S. government.
There are also problems with maintenance of the aircraft, according to the report.
The GAO pointed out that the U.S. military is trying to deal with the various P-8 issues; it has also put in place several dozen projects to improve the reliability of the parts and “to remove barriers that have affected overall sustainment system performance.”
Some of the parts are being damaged by in-flight vibrations, so a plan is in place to redesign components and to eventually replace a key system on the aircraft, the GAO report noted.
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Neither National Defence nor Public Services and Procurement Canada could provide a response to questions from this newspaper about the parts shortages identified by the U.S. auditors.
Bill Matthews, the deputy minister at National Defence, told MPs on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Government Operations on Oct. 17 that in his view it is easier to sustain equipment that is also operated by allies since that means more readily available parts. Matthews did not mention the U.S. report on the problem with P-8 parts.
The potential sale of the 16 Boeing planes and associated equipment is worth around $7.8 billion, but project costs at National Defence will push that to well over $8 billion.
Canada made a formal request in late March to the U.S. government asking it to offer a fleet of Boeing P8 surveillance aircraft.
The Canadian Forces had originally planned a competition starting next year to replace the RCAF’s CP-140 Auroras. That program had outlined the acceptance of bids in 2027.
The Quebec-based aerospace firm Bombardier had planned to bid on the project, pitching a proposal to build the planes in the Toronto area. U.S. aerospace giant Boeing also intended on bidding.
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But instead the Liberal government decided to proceed with the proposed P-8 purchase because it would be considered an off-the-shelf military purchase and already operational. PSPC has stated that the P-8 is the only aircraft that meets the military’s needs, although government officials acknowledge they did not examine other potential aircraft in-depth.
Kawasaki responded to Canada’s request for information on new aircraft by highlighting Japan’s P-1 surveillance aircraft, which is now flying with that country’s military. Canadian officials did not examine that aircraft, which is also considered a military-off-the-shelf solution.
In late May, a number of leading Canadian aerospace firms wrote Prime Minister Justin Trudeau requesting he allow an open competition for a new surveillance plane instead of sole-sourcing the deal to a U.S. company.
The P-8 is in service with the U.S. Navy, Indian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Republic of Korea Navy and Germany Navy.
The U.S. government has been pressuring Canada to boost defence spending, in particular acquiring more American-built equipment. In response, the Liberal government has been highlighting Canada’s ongoing military equipment projects to U.S. lawmakers, noting that Canada is buying the U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighter and will spend tens of billions on joint U.S.-Canadian radar systems and defences. In addition, many of the armaments and ammunition Canada is providing to Ukraine come from U.S. industry via the American government.
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The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency told Congress in June that the P-8 sale to Canada will help American military forces in their missions around the world.
Boeing in Seattle will be the prime contractor for the Canadian P-8 deal, with other firms under contract to the U.S. Navy to provide components, systems and engineering services. Any work for Canadian firms would be negotiated later.
David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe
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