The RCAF's Next Generation Fighter (CF-188 Replacement)

[Quirky]

This whole thing is lunacy. Stop playing politics and commit to the remaining F35s.

The Gripen will never take off in Canada. The only people who want are politicians, especially Joly who's hell bent on a few thousand temporary jobs for Quebec.

Huge waste of money and effort for that role, adopting an actual training aircraft like the T-7 or T-50 would make far more sense.

It's likely going to be the PC-21, like the Aussie demo team, as the facilities and heavy maintenance for the aircraft will already be in Moose Jaw with CAE/Skyline.

 

[Furniture]

The elephant in the room is still, in my opinion, the ITAR implications of the GE F414 engines.

If America went with the nuclear option, and blocked sales to their NORAD and NATO ally, it would be the end of sales to anyone who had other options.

We'd be dumb to buy the F-35 if they played that game.

 

[PuckChaser]

I'm still really confused at why we're talking about buying an aircraft that already lost a Canadian competition, and many more internationally. Then again, that is the Canadian way: substandard kit, obsolete kit.

 

[OldSolduer]

I'm still really confused at why we're talking about buying an aircraft that already lost a Canadian competition, and many more internationally. Then again, that is the Canadian way: substandard kit, obsolete kit.

The Ross Rifle enters the chat..,

 

[Rainbow1910]

I'm still really confused at why we're talking about buying an aircraft that already lost a Canadian competition, and many more internationally. Then again, that is the Canadian way: substandard kit, obsolete kit.

Dangling of domestic jobs in front of a Canadian politician is akin to doing the same with a big juicy steak and a hungry dog.

 

[Baz]

Seems like actual pilots and RCAF officers support F35 enough to sign a letter to decision makers to get them to stop this Gripen madness.

Former Canadian military officers urge Ottawa to ignore Gripens and proceed with F-35 buy

Twelve retired senior Royal Canadian Air Force officers have written to Prime Minister Mark Carney warning against reducing Canada's planned 88-aircraft F-35A purchase in favour of Swedish Saab Gripen fighters, as political tensions with the USA prompt Ottawa to reconsider its fighter...

www.flightglobal.com

A letter from a bunch of ex Generals does not necessarily represent what’s best for Canada or the RCAF. The mere fact that they wrote it means they are playing the game and know how to.

I think I agree with them (the actual content isn’t available as far as I know) based on what my understanding of Canada’s foreign and defence policy, but that doesn’t make my opinion what’s best for Canada or the RCAF either. MH types have a historical bias against the amount of resources fighters get…

 

[Remius]

I'm still really confused at why we're talking about buying an aircraft that already lost a Canadian competition, and many more internationally. Then again, that is the Canadian way: substandard kit, obsolete kit.

I’d argue we get substandard kit because of the way competitions are run to begin with.