Alright we may have a winner to replace Canada’s ageing fleet of CF 18 fighter jets.
Everyone has been very divided on what airframe Canada should pick for its next fighter.
After the Boeing Super Hornet was ruled out late last year,
it was down to The Saab Gripen and Lockheed Martin's highly profiled F35. That is no longer
the case as Canada is now entering its final negotiations on purchasing the F35A Lightning 2.
We’ve been at this crossroad before. An earlier decision to purchase these jets had originally
been planned just over a decade earlier. Only one decade? That's not bad, Canada.
Now I don’t want to get you too lubed up incase of any initial disappointment. This announcement
does not mean the deal is officially closed. Only that the Canadian Government will now begin talks
to acquire up to 88 of the modern F35s at its budgeted price of 19 billion dollars.
Lockheed Martin was said to have outbid Saab, the other final contender.
In what I'm sure will be a painful concession from its opponents,
the Liberal government is expected to receive a better deal on the F35 after the multiple
delays opened up an increase of favourable bidding from the competition. Talk about failing upwards.
Contract finalisation is anticipated by the end of the year with delivery of the first aircraft
scheduled for 2025, that is if an agreement can be reached and production started in a
reasonable timeframe. Now take that information and throw it out your brain, it means nothing.
Surprise, we still have space on the table for another goat rodeo. A statement from
Canada's procurement minister tells us that Saab
and its Gripen can STILL sneak back into negotiations if talks stall with Lockheed.
Wow, Finally time is working in our favour! That feels nice doesn't it?
Let me hear below where you think this will go and if Canada is making the right choice.
First Let me shine a little more light on our decision. Oh you're already typing? Ok well,
Two of the contentious requirements from the competition were to one:
meet Canada's intelligence sharing requirements used
by Norad to Defend North America and Two: legally invest into Canada.
I'm getting the feeling this may have ruffled some feathers on the European bidders
but that's ok with me, I am just fine with getting a little bit back. As for Lockheed,
lets not forget how Canada has already contributed 613 million US into the F35 program.
Our contract, our plane, our rules after all. These decisions will now support
150,000 Canadian jobs and contribute tens of billions to the Canadian economy over
the fighter's life span and let's face it, we are going to milk that son of a bitch.
As for what the final contract will look like, I’m not too sure yet. That 19 billion dollar price tag
is expected to be refined a little further. Then there is the issue of maintenance. At this
moment any major overhauls for the fighter would necessitate its return to the US manufacturer.
That sounds expensive, sounds like we shouldn't rely on big brother if we also
value increased independence. This is definitely a problem to fix by maybe negotiating a Canadian
facility into the agreement. Experts also want to rush order an initial handful of
jets into the hands of Canadian pilots in the event papa putin crosses into Poland.
Now I wouldn’t be abusing your ears with that ridiculously ambitious pillow talk
if I didn't see an actual possibility of it happening. The US Air Force just announced it
will buy 15 fewer F35s. This could open a ripe opportunity for us to fall into,
face first and if nothing else that would keep this overall theme going.
It's hard to argue that the f35 doesn’t look impressive on paper. Canada will be purchasing
the F35A variant. Most notably the one without Vertical Take off and landing.
Lockheed has enjoyed boasting about an incredible mix of stealth capabilities,
advanced sensors, weapons and improved range.
The F35A still needs a runway but that's probably just fine for Canada. It is
also expected to be more agile than those variants crammed with VTOL capabilities.
What I really want to see is how the advanced sensor suite pairs with the Signature Helmet
mounted display. This is advancement so amazingly technical that I imagine
it will arouse pilots while also giving stage 4 depression to their mechanics.
The F35 is capable of carrying more than 18,000 pounds of ordnance over an
operational or combat radius of 1100 km(or 600 nautical miles)
and this brings me to my contentious point against buying the F35, its range.
Saab has highlighted how its Gripen E variant would come with large
external fuel tanks, giving that airframe a slight edge with a 1300 km combat radius.
Now sure the F35 can fly as far as 2200 km in a straight line
but let's consider what is going to be one of its main purposes.
Those long interception sorties up north to escort way ward Russian bombers off our turf.
These range figures don’t include real world variables, such as
time on station or the general fuckery we might receive from opposing pilots.
Yes the F35 can slap on a few external tanks of its own but then why would we pay
for its sleek design or its fancy stealth capabilities that would be invalidated.
These are just a few of the questions that Canada's favour towards Lockheed Martin has
opened up for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter Program;
Just last year, the US pentagon had acknowledged a recorded list of 800
unresolved software and hardware deficiencies in their own fleet of F35s. These issues are
expected to be compounded further with serious supply shortages that we are sure to inherit.
Now that's not to say this issue is exclusive to the F35 or the particular variant we want
but this has forced other nations to simply fly their new F35s much less than intended.
A total of 13 other Nations have now added an F35 to their Air Force
and despite slow progress in development, it has been somewhat pleasant, to only just dip
our toes into the raging bin fire that has been the F35 program.
Either jet could make a compelling addition to the Royal Canadian Air Force if implemented correctly.
But as for buying some of both as many of you have suggested? Well,
Tell me below if you really think we can afford to fly and maintain two entirely different airframes?
Ultimately, the importance of what airframe we choose is being slowly eroded with every day
that passes. Our pilots simply need a replacement and Canada needs the
capability to respond when threats emerge both foreign and domestic.
If the final F35 is delivered as anticipated in 2032,
our Cf 18’s will have been around for 50 years and undergone multiple
operational extensions. Let's make sure they get the retirement they deserve.
As always, thanks for watching. I am not an expert on these airframes
so if you are please let me know below if I have missed anything.