Canada Casts Wide Net in Search for Fighter-Jet Replacements

[Zarvan]

VICTORIA, British Columbia — The Canadian government has issued a request for information from aerospace firms about the types of fighter aircraft they could provide, a signal that an earlier proposal to acquire Boeing Super Hornet jets on an interim basis is likely dead.

When the Super Hornet proposal first surfaced in early June, Lockheed Martin launched an aggressive lobbying and media campaign to warn that F-35 work being done by Canadian firms would be put in jeopardy if the Canadian government proceeded with such a move.

Government officials have not raised the proposal since, and companies have now been asked to provide the initial data on their aircraft by July 29.

The Department of National Defence plans to rewrite its requirements for a new fighter jet, said Harjit Sajjan, the defence minister for the Liberal Party government.

Sajjan and other Liberal government officials have said the existing requirements, developed by the previous Conservative Party government, are geared to favor the F-35.

At the same time, Sajjan has said he wants an open competition to replace Canada’s aging CF-18 fighter jets.

Lockheed Martin is responding to the Canadian government’s request for information about its fighter jet, a company spokesperson confirmed.







Boeing is responding with information about the Super Hornet. Other potential contenders include the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Dassault Rafale, and Saab’s Gripen.

Sajjan said because of the age of the CF-18s, Canada is facing a fighter jet capability gap in fulfilling its NORAD and NATO commitments. “It’s the reason why we have taken this approach to gather officials together from the various departments, get the necessary information so that we can make a better decision on the process we’re going to take to procure fighter jets,” he explained. “There is an urgency and hence why we’re moving forward on this very quickly.”

Sajjan said he didn’t have a timeframe when the replacement project would proceed. “It all depends on a lot of the information that we do collect, but it is going to be months, not years, definitely, because of the urgency for this,” he said.

Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came to power last fall, pledging not to purchase the F-35, an aircraft he says is unnecessary for Canada’s needs and too expensive.

Email: dpugliese@defensenews.com

http://www.defensenews.com/story/de...net-search-fighter-jet-replacements/87352106/

 

[C130]

does Canada even need fighter jets?? how about even a air force. .

 

[Sage]

does Canada even need fighter jets?? how about even a air force. .

If the Swiss has it ...Canada should have it too !

 

[Archie]

The question is
Who will the Canadian Airforce use these aircrafts against

I mean it's not like any country actually hates Canada
And with Atlantic ocean on East side , Pacific on West
And Artic on North and USA down Below
It's not like any country is going to send Aircraft carriers to fight Canada

 

[Taygibay]

It's not like any country is going to send Aircraft carriers to fight Canada

Not "any" country but a very specific one that flies from the North over the pole.
Plus, Canada provides NATO regularly ( Lybia ) and helps international ventures ( Syria/ISIL ).

So yes, they need an air force, mate!
Good day to you, Tay.

 

[randomradio]

does Canada even need fighter jets?? how about even a air force. .

The earth is a sphere. Russia and Canada are neighbours.