The 1991 Defence Review called for a review of maritime surveillance capability, but the results of the policy study were classified and never released publicly.^[21]

Having affirmed that ‘Self-Reliance in Partnership’ remained central to New Zealand Defence policy, the 1997 White Paper emphasised the importance of maintaining force capabilities which would allow New Zealand to adequately monitor and protect those areas which fell under New Zealand’s responsibility. The White Paper made the point that the United States ‘has neither the power nor the inclination to be the sole guarantor of the region’s security. It expects others to carry a proportionate share of the burden.’^[22] In order to maintain its share of the burden, New Zealand needed to maintain a capability for maritime surveillance from the air, and Project Sirius was intended to provide that capability. The latest Defence White Paper highlighted the impaired capacity of the Orion’s tactical systems to undertake its maritime surveillance role, and noted that the deficiencies would be addressed by Project Sirius. The previous month, Cabinet had agreed with the Minister of Defence’s recommendation that the Orions be equipped with updated sensors and communication suites, with a subsequent decision to be made regarding implementation.^[23] The Government subsequently gave approval-in-principle for Project Sirius to proceed, at a Cabinet Meeting on 23 March 1998. This approval was seen by the RNZAF to be the culmination of over a decade’s work, which had begun following the cancellation of Project Rigel in the late 1980s. In commenting on the approval, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Carey Adamson said: ‘Yesterday’s decision was a major milestone for the project; however, a continuation of this hard work will be needed to bring SIRIUS to a successful conclusion.’^[24] In this, he was to be proven to be correct.

The Invitation to Register (ITR), which the Ministry of Defence was to use to identify potential prime contractors, was issued on 9 October 1998. The Request for Tender was subsequently issued in February 1999, and Raytheon was chosen as the preferred prime contractor. The request for a Best and Final Offer was issued in November 1999, but by that time the Labour Party had returned to power. The Ministry was to continue working hard to try and ensure that Project Sirius did reach a successful conclusion; nevertheless Sirius, like Rigel before it, was not to succeed.