Complex sentence: The NFA program would demonstrate relatively rapid progress; despite two changes of government, the NFA decision was finished in three years, the NFA/PO was officially set up on 17 March 1977, and selected the CF-18 on 10 April 1980.
Split into simpler sentences: The NFA program would demonstrate relatively rapid progress; in spite of two changes of government, the NFA decision was finished in three years. The office was officially set up on 17 March 1977, and had selected the CF-18 on 10 April 1980.