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Google-translation:
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ongoing-p ... 6203021391The crisis forced the government to back down, which makes "call option" on 15% of the project
ALBACETE
E. Day 25/11/2011 VILLAREJO
The prototype still to be commissioned in the primeravera FAMET, 2013
The Defense Ministry has suspended the purchase of seven of the 45 NH90 helicopters Eurocopter signed with a consortium whose contract was approved by the Cabinet in May 2005 and signed in December 2006 when the Socialists were ministers José Bono and Jose Antonio Alonso respectively.
This was recognized yesterday at the factory in Albacete, the CEO of Eurocopter Spain, Francisco Vergara,
during the presentation of the first prototype of the NH90 will receive in the spring of 2013 the forces of the Army airmobile (FAMET).
Verge said that due to the economic situation, Eurocopter Spain is negotiating with an addendum Defense "in stating who will be 38 units and 7 optional firm since 2015."
In no event shall this setback will be a decrease in the total contract amount, as stipulated in 1,260 million euros,
"but that this decline will be offset units with equipment, life cycle maintenance of the helicopter, and so on." Verge said.
The contract was signed as Minister Jose Antonio Alonso Bono and the Ministry had first planned to acquire 104 units by 2025, an option discarded.
Another revealing the state of NH90 contract, set in the Special Programme for Arms by which Defence has committed 26,000 million until 2025 in its 19 projects, only Eurocopter has received 160 million contract,
with the Ministry of prepayment Industry which was initially going to participate with 990 million, discounted up to 736 million.
Defense must complete the final amount to the 1,260 million industry and return to the front part, under current legislation.
In the assembly line at the factory in Albacete-opened in 2007, where 360 employees work-units are now three, four and five of the NH90 helicopter to the Defense Ministry chose to standardize the fleet of the armed forces,
adapting versions of the two armies and navy, military tactical transport and Earth, anti-submarine, anti-piracy and amphibious tactical transport Marines, and rescue mission and air combat.
The plant in Albacete is one of only two forward fuselage manufacturing of this aircraft, of which there is a backlog of 529 units.
It also handles the complete cycle of Spanish vessels are manufactured from the third. The first two were built in the French plant in Marignane.
Ongoing problems hit Defence's $2 billion MRH 90 choppers
FLYING HIGH: The Brisbane-based MRH90 helicopters are among projects to exceed their budgeted costs by more than $500 million.
THE $2 billion contract for 46 MRH 90 European-built multi-role helicopters is a "project of concern".
Military sources say the project will be added to the Government's so-called "projects of concern" list if the Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, accepts the recommendation of the latest "diagnostic review" of the project.
So far just 13 of the 46 machines have been accepted by Defence and the delivery schedule is running more than 18 months late.
A source said the chopper still had major problems with its navigation systems and the review would recommend that it be added to the list of shame.
The MRH 90 will be the second helicopter project to make the shame list after the Sea Sprite Navy helicopter debacle that cost taxpayers more than $1 billion before it was abandoned.
There are nine projects on the list, ranging from submarine sustainment to stand-off missiles and all companies involved,
including multi-nationals such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, are barredfrom further taxpayer-funded contracts until their project is removed from the list.
The high-tech fly-by-wire composite twin-engine MRH 90 helicopter is built by European giant Eurocopter.
It is assembled in Brisbane by its subsidiary Australian Aerospace.
The project has been dogged by serious technical issues including an engine failure due to overheating,
cracked windscreens, soft cargo flooring and avionic and navigation problems.
It is the latter that continues to cause problems, especially for the navy variant when the choppers are operating from ships.
According to insiders, the MRH 90 will be a very capable helicopter once all the bugs are ironed out,
but it is another example of taxpayers funding untested cutting-edge military technology.
Despite its small relative size, Defence has lost billions of dollars and suffered countless delays over the years by signing up for unproven cutting-edge equipment.
It is understood that the Government and Australian Aerospace are about to sign an agreement with a new timetable for fixing the outstanding faults and getting deliveries back on track by March next year.