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HALIFAX - The Air Force is studying whether the lifespan of its fleet of 40-year-old Sea King helicopters can be extended again, says a Defence Department spokeswoman.

The original retirement date for the aging choppers had been set at 2012, but delivery of replacement Sikorsky helicopters could be delayed.

Spokeswoman Elizabeth Hodges of the Defence Department says that "right now, within the department, people are in the process of identifying what would be required if necessary to operate the fleet beyond 2012. That would be supportability studies, addressing air worthiness, parts obsolescence, sustainability, things like that."

Sikorsky Inc. had been slated to begin delivering 28 CH-148 Cyclones this coming January.

But with the federal government and Sikorsky in talks over a possible delay in the delivery of the Cyclone fleet - and media reports indicating Ottawa has considered cancelling the original $5.8-billion deal - air force planners are once again considering their options for the Sea Kings.

Hodges said there's no firm decisions yet.

Lee Myrhaugen, the co-ordinator of a group that's been lobbying for new maritime helicopters, said the Sea Kings are safe, but they may soon have systems that are out of date. But he said there is a risk that the Sea King's equipment won't be compatible with the needs of a modern navy.