Posted on 09/30/2014 4:37:55 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Canadian taxpayers will likely be on the hook for millions of dollars to keep the country’s aged CF18 fighter jets flying into the next decade because of delays in finding a replacement aircraft, secret documents show.
The revelation represents the latest wrinkle in what has become one of the most troubled military procurement projects in Canadian history, which continues to sit in limbo as the countdown to next year’s election begins.
The backbone of Canada’s air force, the CF18s were purchased in the early 1980s with the idea they would be retired in 2003. Instead, $2.6 billion was spent on upgrades starting in 2001 to keep them flying until 2020.
When the Conservative government announced in 2010 that Canada would be buying 65 F35s for $16 billion (a figure that was later revealed to be $45 billion), the plan was to have the new stealth fighters start arriving in 2017 to seamlessly phase out the CF-18s.
But that was before Auditor-General Michael Ferguson raised significant concerns about the way the F35 project had been managed, prompting the Conservative government to pause in late 2012 and re-examine its options.
The government has refused to say when it will announce a decision to either purchase the F35 without a competition, or hold an open competition to replace the CF18s.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalpost.com ...
With all due respect for Canadian sovereignty, its hard to imagine a conflict where we wouldn’t be on the same side. I realize our Army can’t get along with our Navy but some sort of coordination between the two nations in this selection for support, maintenance, repairs, etc. might make enough sense to at least consider
That F-35 certainly is a slow mover, especially for such an expensive plane. Slower than even the Pakistani-Chinese bird.
Yes,it makes sense for the US and Canada to be close allies,as they are.It also makes sense for Canada to be a close ally of the "mother country",Great Britain.And perhaps even with their *other* mother country,France.
But my (quick) reading of this piece suggests to me that this is simple matter of money to some in Canada.
Well, yes.
Likewise it is hard to imagine a conflict where Canada would be dogfighting with the latest Russian fighters flown by crews trained to western standards.
Hopefully the government will come to its senses and choose the logical aircraft, the Super Hornet.
Great chart.
The article seems to miss the point that Canada has saved billions because the CF-18 has greatly exceeded its service cycle expectations.
Canada Ping!
How about the Mig 35? Maybe Canada needs to think outside of the Box for a change—Grippen looks good too.
I agree. Perhaps we should donate to Canada the A-10 Warthogs that the Pentagon is mothballing. (To keep them in a “ready” condition).
The SAAB is still better bang for the buck.
The RCAF prefers two engines. They have long distances to cover. It’s much easier to limp home on one engine than none.
Now I'm worried, I agree with those two groups. What we should have done was put in an order for the Super Hornet ten years ago. We would have them with all the latest upgrades now. It's not too late (I don't think).
I thought it was simple: Announce options, put off any decision as long as possible (forever not excluded)
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