Mr. Chair, there is so much in those questions that is completely factually incorrect that I'm not sure where to begin.
The Auroras were purchased back in the 1980s. We are looking at an aircraft that is very versatile and continues to provide invaluable surveillance. I should also note that the comments about reduction in surveillance are simply not true. They continue to conduct long-term sovereignty patrols over the Arctic and over our maritime approaches. They do fly out of Greenwood, and we have every intention, Mr. Chair, of maintaining the surveillance capabilities, both in the short term and in the long term, for the protection of both our coastal sovereignty and our Arctic sovereignty.
That having been said, we're looking at options to ensure that they're going to remain effective and continue to provide that surveillance safely and effectively. We do not want to find ourselves in the position that the previous government did, when we were flying Sea King aircraft that were over 30 years old; we are looking at a number of options, which of course include looking at the eventual purchase of a replacement aircraft that would provide that same type of capability.
With respect to Greenwood, we've just invested, incidentally, about $74 million to upgrade that airfield, including a new approach tower, a new fire station, and new infrastructure on the base. It has been a long time coming.
With respect to the Auroras and their operations at Greenwood and at Comox, British Columbia, they will certainly be there and conducting maritime surface and subsurface surveillance for the foreseeable future.