Article: Govt plans to scrap navy ship

Guyon Espiner

THE government plans to sell navy transport ship the Charles Upham, which has been plagued by problems since its purchase seven years ago.

The Sunday Star-Times has learned Defence Minister Mark Burton has put a paper to cabinet recommending the Charles Upham, bought for $14 million in 1994, be disposed of.

The move to sell the ship - approved by Prime Minister Helen Clark and almost certain to be signed off by cabinet - comes as the debate heats up over the future direction of the defence force.

Last week a group of seven retired defence force chiefs went public with their concerns the government was abandoning the concept of a balanced defence force with broad ...

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