After ruling out the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet last fall as a possible replacement for the aging CF-18s, the Liberals now appear to be leaving the door open to the controversial jet. YURI GRIPAS / REUTERS FILE PHOTO
It’s controversial, costly and, now it seems, back on Ottawa’s radar as a possible pick for Canada’s air force.
OTTAWA—It’s controversial, costly and apparently back on Ottawa’s radar as a possible pick for Canada’s air force.
After ruling out the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet last fall as a possible replacement for the aging CF-18s, the Liberals now appear to be leaving the door open after all.
Speaking at a defence conference in Ottawa Thursday, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was asked pointblank whether the F-35 would be considered in the competition to replace the current fleet of fighters.
Sajjan pointedly did not rule out the possibility, saying the selection process will be “open.”
“The real issue here is we want to make sure that we replace the F-18 and have a suitable aircraft that meets the needs of Canada. That’s what we’re committed to do,” Sajjan said.
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Update #1: Harjit Sajjan backs away from election promise on F-35 jets (Global)
Update #2: F-35s won’t be excluded from fighter jet replacement: Sajjan -- iPolitics
Update #3: F-35 Likely to Compete in Canada’s Upcoming Fighter Contest: Bogdan (DoD Buzz)
WNU editor: So much for election promises.
6 comments:
Not really,
There's the Rafael, the F-35, the CF-118, the Grypin, the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-16 for currently produced "Western" fighter jets.
That's the "choices" for a replacement program,
That replaces the previous program that was in the bag( lots and lots of little brown bags filled with cash), for the F-35.
Well, since we're not allowed to live within our means, get the best bang for our buck and buy anything Russian, the Hornet looks like our best choice.
Whatever we get, it needs two engines.
If it's an open competition, based on previous long standing ground rules,
It would be a mix of CF-118's and the Growler variant.
Phew!!! $68 million?!!
I'd go Mig 31/41 for interception and SU 35 for the rest. If I were really tight it'd be mig 29s and su24s.
This "western" club $#': is too spendy for me!
Hee hee.
http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/285/The-Breaking-Point--Canadian-MiGs-test-American-friendship--2011-APRIL-FOOLS-HOAX.aspx
The F35 can be improved step wise with better power packages and avionic packages.
I am not holding my breath. They want the plane to be a generalist and therefore it is stellar in nothing.
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