CanWest: Defence program over budget by $132 million

[tuvor]

A Defence Department program to install high-tech sensors and avionics on the country's fleet of maritime surveillance aircraft went over budget by $132 million after the project started without the full requirements of the work being known.

The program to upgrade the CP140 Aurora's computers and avionics began in 2002 and was supposed to cost $197 million. But that figure has ballooned to a little more than $329 million, according to a newly released Defence Department audit of the project.

The audit, completed in August, found the modernization program was difficult to manage because the Defence Department didn't know the full requirements of the project until it was well underway.

(snip)

On Dec. 18 Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced the Harper government would continue the Aurora's upgrades but limit the work to 10 aircraft.

MacKay said in an interview the decision has been well received in the Aurora and military community.

"Given the age of the aircraft, given the increasing demands in particular with (having) a greater Arctic presence, this was the best decision to take for our country's sovereignty and for those men and women who are flying these aircraft," he said.

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