Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau is showing every sign of following through on his pledge to cancel Canada’s participation in the F-35 program and that will likely mean a three-way race for a less expensive and less capable aircraft to replace the CF-18.
The bonus is that the RCAF will probably end up with more airplanes.
Ruling out the F-35 (there may not be a legal way to keep it out of the bidding, however) effectively leaves the F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault’s Rafale and the Eurofighter as contenders for the contract. However, without the F-35 in the mix, Saab might rethink entering the race with its updated Gripen NG.
None of those options has the combination of stealth, surveillance and weapons capabilities that the F-35 and some other fifth generation designs from Russia and China have but Trudeau has said he doesn’t think Canada needs a fifth generation fighter because Canada won’t need to attack anything.
As if to punctuate that premise, one of Trudeau’s first acts after the election was to tell U.S. President Barack Obama that Canada will cease participation in the bombing campaign against ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. That likely means the Aurora long-range patrol missions will also be halted.
There was no mention of the need to replace fixed wing search and rescue aircraft during the election but that will also be on the new PM’s plate.
OPAS Centennial Celebrations This Summer
The Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS) will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in Sault Ste. Marie this summer. The main celebratory event will be hosted by the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (CBHC), which will be […]
Velis Electro Now Flying in Canada
As we reported in January, Sealand Flight of Campbell River on Vancouver Island had acquired a Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft. Earlier this week (Tuesday), Sealand announced that the battery-powered two-place training aircraft is now flying. […]
Some of this Week’s Other Highlights in Brief
Photos circulated on social media earlier this week of a new Bombardier Global 5500 with a smashed-in nose up against a damaged chain-link fence and what appears to be a light pole protruding from its […]
Some Of This Week’s Other Highlights In Brief
An Air France Boeing 787 headed to Seattle from Paris diverted to Iqaluit last week following “heat smell” in the cabin. The 260 passengers and 12 crew spent 11 hours in Iqaluit before an Air […]
Air Canada Pilots Call For Pay Equity
The Union representing Air Canada pilots is calling on the airline to put a generous offer on the table following the latest in a series of positive financial reports. The airline made $453 million in […]
Nolinor Bases 737-200 In Edmonton
Mirabel-based charter company Nolinor has announced it will be basing a gravel runway-equipped Boeing 737-200 at a new sub-base at Edmonton International Airport. The company says the new base will be used mainly to provide […]
Class B ADS-B Mandate Starts May 16
Nav Canada is reminding operators that the next stage of the ADS-B mandate comes into effect May 16 but it doesn’t expect a major impact. The next phase is the inclusion of Class B airspace, […]
TSB Cites Training, Preparation In Tanker Pilot’s Survival
A well-trained and prepared pilot were fundamental to the positive outcome of an aerial tanker crash in B.C. in 2022. In its final report on the accident, the Transportation Safety Board said the pilot of […]
Some Of This Week’s Other Highlights In Brief
Canada has set aside $5 billion to buy advanced early warning aircraft but the procurement process has not begun. The funding was confirmed by government officials to Aviation Week and the procurement will occur between […]
Two Historic Hangars Destroyed By Fire
Structural fires at opposite sides of the country have claimed two historic hangars that played key roles during the Second World War. On April 19, Hangar 8 at CFB Goose Bay (5 Wing) in Labrador […]
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