The Government of Canada is proposing to purchase 65 F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft from Lockheed-Martin, to replace the now 30 year old CF-18 fleet.
Boeing, who lost the Joint Strike Fighter competition (their X-37 was rejected by the Pentagon when compared to Lockheed-Martin’s X-35), is trying to sell us the now 15 year old F-18F Super Hornet, which will be a 22 year old design when the F-35 is available.
Note that the F-18F is a stopgap aircraft that the US Navy is using to replace the 1970s era F-14′s with until the F-35C is available.
And since Canada has already invested $160 Million on the F-35 development program (and committed much more), it would be silly to back away now. Plus, if the UK and US are buying this airplane, it would make sense to share a platform.
Now – if the F-35 does fail to live up to it’s promise (as sometimes new designs do), we should put into the contract with LM that we have an out. Or that they would supply us with the F-22 instead (for a discount).
3 comments
Joshua says:
8 June 2010 at 21:05 (UTC -7 )
A multi-role strike fighter is definetly in the cards for our air force.Especially if our role in Afghanistan becomes longterm.We invested in the F35 ,so no reason why we should not order them if it proves to be a good capable aircraft.And yes F-22′s for us if the F35 is a dud.
The F35B is interesting and may suit our needs better.
Is there a reason Canada doesnt have an aircraft carrier?Just wondering.
Taliesyn says:
9 June 2010 at 7:21 (UTC -7 )
Aircraft carriers are very expensive…
Phil says:
9 June 2010 at 1:20 (UTC -7 )
The F-22 is a no go. The US are already starting to shut down the production line. Plus there is a ban on exporting the F-22.
The F-35 is a 5th generation bomb truck be have nothing in the Canadian arsenal that’s a dedicated ground attack/air support platform like the A-10 or AH-1.