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.
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 […]
Billy Bishop Airport Honours RCAF Centennial
Representatives of the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, the RCAF Association and the Royal Canadian Military Institute, along with RCAF commander Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, were at the airport’s mainland pavilion where earlier this week they […]
Some of this Week’s Other Highlights in Brief
Air North has recently acquired a Boeing 737-8AL through leasing firm Aircraft Engine Lease Finance (AELF) of Chicago. This brings to two of the more modern 737s in Air North’s fleet and adds to the […]
Canada’s First Control Tower Celebrates Anniversary
It was in 1939 that the first air traffic control tower was built in Canada, and Nav Canada is celebrating its 85th anniversary at the Saint-Hubert airport. Within a year of its opening, the tower’s […]
Some of this Week’s Other Highlights in Brief
Another small recreational aircraft manufacturer is experiencing financial hardship. Progressive Aerodyne (PA) of Florida, which builds both the SeaRey kits and the factory-built versions, has halted production and is searching for a buyer. “The doors […]
Canada Unveils New Defence Strategy
While much of the country was focussed on the total solar eclipse sweeping across central and eastern Canada last Monday (Apr. 8), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accompanied by Defence Minister Bill Blair and Finance Minister […]
Some of this Week’s Other Highlights in Brief
The Royal Canadian Mint this week unveiled a coin commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The 99.99 percent pure silver coin has a nominal value of $20 and a retail price […]
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