British defense company sues TT over cancelled OPVs

Port-of-Spain: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that UK defence machinery-builders BAE Systems, is legally challenging the state over the cancellation of a billion dollar contract to construct three drug-busting offshore patrol ships. Persad-Bissessar spoke to reporters at the Trinidad Hilton this morning.

In 2007 BAE Systems had been contracted to provide three Offshore Patrol Vessels and ancillary support in a deal worth approximately TT$2 billion.

However shortly after the People’s Partnership Government assumed office, the deal was cancelled, with Minister of National Security Brigadier John Sandy citing that the vessels were defective.

He gave Parliament the assurance that the Government was well within its contractual rights to cancel the deal.

However the Opposition warned that this country would face legal action.