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Article: Clark questions $35m Upham upgrade
- Article from:
- Sunday Star-Times
- Article date:
- January 21, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2001 Sunday Star-Times. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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THE Defence Force is calling for a $35 million upgrade of the ill-
fated Charles Upham - but Prime Minister Helen Clark is not
convinced the troop and supply carrier ship is needed.
A defence sea lift capability review recommends the government
upgrade the ship. Other options are to buy a carrier at a cost of
about $300m or charter a vessel when required.
The report has been presented to Defence Minister Mark Burton,
who will take a paper to cabinet on the issue.
The Upham, notoriously unstable under light loads, is being
leased to a Spanish charter company, Contenemar SA, which is using
it to carry citrus fruit around the Mediterranean. The lease expires
in June so a decision on its ...