Gov't might cancel $5B contracts for patrol boats, helicopters

The Trinidad and Tobago government is considering the cancellation of a contract for the supply of three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and four AW139 helicopter gunships.

The People's National Movement (PNM) government had ordered the naval vessels at a cost of over $5 billion.

The Trinidad Express reported Monday that Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy are expected to submit a report on the matter to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who returns from Miami Monday.

AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of the Italian defence and aerospace company Inmeccanica, is the supplier of the helicopters. That contract is worth US$348 million.

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VT Shipbuilding won the £150 million contract for the fast patrol boats.

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Ramlogan confirmed to the paper that Government is the reviewing the transactions.

"I am instructed that the vessels were not delivered on time, in breach of the contractual delivery date. There are also technical problems that need to be resolved to ensure they are in accordance with the contract specifications and designs," he said.

"There are legal, financial and security implications to this transaction that require critical and objective review by the government, bearing in mind our competing expenditure priorities and the alternative use to which this money can be put in the fight against crime," Ramlogan explained.

The Prime Minister's security adviser, Captain Gary Griffith, told the Express the helicopters won't be needed if the contract for the boats is cancelled.

"Without the Offshore Patrols Vessels, there will be no need for the helicopter gunships; they work hand in hand with each other. It's not a straight case of us just scrapping everything. Hundreds of millions have already been pumped into the companies without getting the returns as yet," Griffith said.

"What we need to do is balance it and see if we really need three off-shore patrol vessels for an island, and the answer I could tell you is, no. Three vessels of that nature are not required for such a small island," Griffith added.

Griffith also said government will launch an investigation surrounding the "questionable" awarding of contracts for ships and choppers.