http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr
Minister Remkes: contract supply MD-902 dissolved police force helicopters
01-03-2005
THE HAGUE - the contract for the supply of eight MD 902's police force helicopters to the korps rural police forces (KLPD) has been dissolved. This writes minister Remkes of home affairs to the House of Commons. Supplier Helifly N.V do not appear able today (1 March) two certified offer Explorers for the acceptance which meets the demands made in the contract.
According to Remkes there moreover large uncertainty concerning the support exists after supply of the toestellen by Helifly N.V and the manufacturer MD Helicopters Inc. For the paid advance a bank guarantee has been delivered; that amount is now called back. The ministry of home affairs does not require contractual forfeited fine of wide ten millions euro on because of complying with its obligation by Helifly. The preparation for a European invitation to tender for supply of other helicopters has meanwhile started, thus the minister writes.
End years ninety has been done study into the requirements and wishes concerning new helicopters for the Dutch police force. Appeared that need existed to one type of helicopter which is multipurpose and more efficiently usable. This led to the choice for the MD 902. after in 2002 delay, in the supply had arisen, arose in 2003 obscurity, or the helicopter would meet the technical requirements.
Research by national air - and space travel laboratory (NLR) showed to that the helicopter could meet the requirements. Continueing the contract would take place if Helifly N.V and MD Helicopters Inc. both agreement would go conditions put with a number of by the minister. On 14 April 2004 the contractor as well as the manufacturer have agreed with the put conditions: on 1 March 2005, or as much rather as possible, had the first two helicopters, which meet made contractual, is demands and is certified, for the acceptance are offered.
Technical adaptations
To now proves to be Helifly donot can provide N.V and MD Helicopters Inc. the again on arranged date. One of the causes are problems in the ` Weight and Balance (W&B). "these solve problems an additional certification programme is necessary that within the set period of 1 March 2005 falls", writes Remkes with technical adaptations of the helicopter, however, but for this is not. However also without problems in the W&B supply appeared not today feasable.
Meanwhile proves to be according to a research of the KLPD which the production process of the American manufacturer has reached meanwhile nearly stilstand. This the construction of the helicopters three up to and including eight and the maintenance makes extremely uncertain, thus it is concluded by the minister.
A component of the signed appointments of April 2004 was a ruil of already the leenhelikopters new in bruikleen is helicopters against two `, but these appears be able provide the manufacturer. By the end of December for that two used German police force helicopters have been bought. After new helicopters are provided, these temporary helicopters will be sold.