Aussie Defence Procurement Shines Again
News in the Australian papers today that the ADF contract for the Aussie Tiger Helicopter is in a shambles. Despite the initial contract to purchase an "off the shelf" product, the reports say the project is in disarray and that the tiger helicopter does not meet it's contracted weapons or load carrying capability and is restricted to over-land operations due to engine reliablilty concerns. So far $825 million dollars has been spent on the project and the supplier, Australian Aerospace, is asking for an extra $625 million dollars to correct the faults. This request was rejected as "unjustified" and beyond the terms of the original contract. The first 2 machines were delivered in 2004 but have been plagued with a variety of capability and reliablilty issues. It is predicted that long delivery delays are likely while a new contract is negotiated and that the Army will be waiting an extra couple years to take full delivery of their machines.
At least the ADF is reliable in it's ability be shafted by it's contractors, roll on Joint Strike Fighter.....