Canadians add An-70 to candidate list for strategic lift aircraft, as part of long-term programme (325 words)

Published: 11/5/2001

The An-70, in a variation of the An-7X, submitted for the German lift requirement, is to be included in the Canadians' current study to identify a strategic lift aircraft, according to Colonel Patrick Dowsett, Project Manager, at the Canadian Department of Defence. Dowsett says the long-term programme is currently evaluating a number of aircraft in terms of viability, including the C-17, Airbus-400M and the An-7X (although reports have suggested the designation An-7Z), in addition to the options offered by assured charter. The An-124 is therefore included in this, although Dowsett stresses that Canada is currently not considering procurement of the aircraft and is only looking at it in the context of assured charter, on the grounds that the aircraft is too large for the Canadian's strategic lift requirement, although it does fulfil some of the requirement's specifications. The evaluation of the various options has been contracted out to BMCI Consulting Inc, based in Ottowa, due to be submitted by the beginning of November,and will be looking at the complete implications of each of the options, ranging from the assessment of 30 year costs, operational risks through to spare part supply. The delivery of the options' analysis by July 2002 will be followed by recommendations four months later and a request for proposals from the producers, including Lockheed with the C-130J, and operators of the An-124, Volga Dnepr and Air Foyle, with a summer 2003 deadline for submission. Dowsett concedes that, at present, the programme does not have any budget allocation and is unlikely to see aircraft in service within five years. What is clear, however, is that the Canadians are very interested in the method of aircraft financing “Innovative procurement" is cited as a key driver in decision making with lease to own, long tem 10-15 leases and direct procurement being considered as part of the aircraft evaluation process.

Article ID: 2885