In response to Matthew Kellway's article, it must be emphasized that the Harper government will never apologize for equipping the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need to do their job and protect our country.
Our government met the recommendation of the Auditor General, and we are delivering on our seven-point-plan to replace Canada's fleet of CF-18s.
The Harper Government is committed to examining all options in replacing Canada's CF-18 fleet, to ensure we get the right plane at the right price. No money has been spent on the purchase of new fighter aircraft and we will not purchase a replacement aircraft until our seven-point plan is complete. Our government has made great progress and is delivering on our seven-point plan to replace Canada's CF-18 fleet. This process is being overseen by a non-partisan Secretariat with an independent expert panel to oversee and coordinate the replacement of Canada's fighter jets.
The National Fighter Procurement Secretariat is evaluating all options to replace Canada's CF-18 fleet. Unlike what Mr. Kellway suggests, the options analysis is a full evaluation of choices, not simply a refresh of the work that has been done before. The options analysis will not be constrained by the Statement of Operational Requirements. Oversight of the options analysis from an independent panel of reviewers will ensure this work is rigorous and thorough.
KPMG, an independent third party, was brought in to verify the Department of National Defence's full life-cycle cost estimates for the F-35. KPMG found that DND's cost estimate of $9-billion for acquisition was sound.
I encourage readers to thoroughly review the National Fighter Procurement Secretariat's status update from December 2012 here. They'll find a process that is exercising due diligence, ensuring value for taxpayers' dollars, and preparing to equip the Canadian Armed Forces with a replacement for its aging CF-18 fleet.
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Matthew Kellway: It's Time for the Tories to End the F35 Tailspin
To buy the F35 is criminal and beyond thick headed.
Stop feeding us talking points and give us a simple mission statement! What are you going to use the planes for EXACTLY?
Bwahahahahahahaahahah!
Seriously, the rest of that article would've been find, but trying to double-down on that totally transparent lie is just a little pathetic. Even the Americans admit the fighters could never, EVER be bought and used for that kind of price.
Defense Industry Daily (Jan 30 issue) "Now, 65 new CF-35As are Canada’s official choice to replace its Hornets – and estimates of the cost range from $17 billion to $45.8 billion... There’s an argument that Canada has no strategic need for a fighter in the F-35′s class, and might be better off spending the same amount of money on the same number of cheaper 4+ generation fighters, plus assets like MQ-9 UAVs that would deploy abroad with its troops, maritime patrol aircraft to improve surveillance, etc. To date, however, Canada’s military, governments, and media have all diligently avoided a strategic discussion that could separate, evaluate, and prioritize spending options. Instead, the debate has revolved around economic concerns, and the military’s wants. A rigid and secretive procurement system has only exacerbated these tendencies."
For example, how much did that fancy photo op with Peter MacKay sitting in the mock jet cost? How many dinners and lunches with Lockheed Martin executives did we pay for? How much was put into the design of this jet, etc.?
As for accounting, it has always been correct, it just almost everyone here can barely balance their chequebook let alone understand a billion dollar accounting project.
I've said these things for years and have been called unpatriotic and a non-supporter of our troops. By my own government.
Yeah. I'm a little bitter about that.
Is backwards Canadian requirements were writen specifically for this plane.
We still have no mission for it nor does it fit our needs in any way!
Canada doesn't require fancy expensive fighter jets in todays modern world. Where conflicts, warfare are fought from thousands of miles away using satellites & guided missiles.
Canada needs a small fleet of fast jets equipped with minimal weaponry, capable of patrolling Canadian territory, not advanced planes of warfare. 16 to 20 jets strategically stationed within Canada would facilitate our needs. We have two coasts, the Arctic & little else requiring patrolling with jets to protect & maintain our sovereignty.
Nor do we need to be sending warplanes into conflicts we may become involved in. It's long past time Canada reevaluated the military's roll & function within our society.
Cancelling the Arrow was a good decision. What pray tell is Canada going to do with a bunch of advanced fighter jets anyway?
I mean seriously, nobody will ever invade Canada, such an act would cause WWIII.
We certainly don't need them for conflicts we choose to get involved in.
Sorry advanced fighter jets are just a luxury item Canada shouldn't even be considering.
but technically,
the "Harper Government" makes it "Harpers Fleet" of C-18s,
not Canadas.
... anyway, just a minor note.
Its a sad day though, when people can no longer make the destinction between equipping the men and women of the Canadian vs equipping those of the Harperian Armed Forces.