Hon Murray McCully MP
National Party Defence Spokesman
31 July 2006
Helicopter cost blowout sets a record
Labour has set a record with the blowout in the cost of replacing the Air Force’s helicopter fleet, says National’s
Defence spokesman, Murray McCully.
“Labour has dithered for so long that the cost has ballooned well beyond what was envisaged in Labour’s much-hyped Long
Term Development Plan.
“Replacing the Iroquois and Sioux helicopters had a budget provision in the plan of between $400 million and $561
million.
“Now we hear the cost will be $771 million – just to replace the Iroquois. Adding a replacement for the Sioux trainers
could well boost the cost even closer to the billion dollar mark.
“Labour has now set a record on defence blowouts worthy of the Guinness Book of Records.”
ENDS