KEY POINTS:
The new Minister of Defence says six undelivered ships for the Navy appear to have significant problems.
Wayne Mapp said yesterday he expected to know more in the next few weeks after a briefing on Project Protector, the problem-riddled defence procurement project to buy seven ships for the Royal New Zealand Navy.
It was revealed this week that 70 Navy crew stationed in Melbourne with new ships HMNZS Otago and Wellington have been sent home while the Ministry of Defence and the builders negotiate alleged contract breaches and the resolution of several "complex" problems.
Following the problems encountered with HMNZS Canterbury, the Government will accept no more of the ships being built by BAE Systems until outstanding issues with the ships are resolved.
Dr Mapp was briefed by ministry staff on wider defence matters this week after being named as minister.
Asked if, given the complexities of the problems with the vessels, he thought all the contract issues could be ironed out and the ships fixed before the latest reported delivery date of March 31 next year, he said:
"Obviously the ministry, the Defence Force and the contractor want the ships delivered, but they have not been able to arrive at an agreement. Clearly it is going to take a little while."
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
