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

[KevinB]

I mentioned 65 because somewhere up thread we were told that was the actual commitment and the 88 number is a possible increase. 10-20 years is what I assume it would take us, Canada being Canada, to actually develop our own manufacturing capabilities….if we can do it faster that would be awesome. I always thought the F15EX would be a great fit for us….but I want as much autonomy as possible.

Canada will never have a fighter industry.
The numbers are too small, and that aspect means it would only be a foreign design manufactured in Canada for an enormous surcharge.

Due to NORAD and NATO being tied to US sensors and infrastructure, I don’t know how viable it is to attempt to diversify.

 

[Genetk44]

I get what your saying.... but why would we not be able to have a fighter industry if Sweden can?

 

[PrairieFella]

Canada runs on feelings, not common sense and rationality.

Compared to our neighbours we're the pinnacle of rationality.

 

[Kirkhill]

Stay the course. Buy the F 35.

But as has been said before look elsewhere for the next generation fighter.

Get Bombardier serious about making long range jet/rocket/ramjet powered drones

 

[GR66]

I get what your saying.... but why would we not be able to have a fighter industry if Sweden can?

Sweden has an existing fighter industry and all of the sub-industries to support it. Canada would have to build the industry from scrap which would be much more expensive than keeping an existing industry going.

Also fighters are getting more complex and expensive with each new generation. There is a reason why the planned replacements for the Rafale and the Eurofighter are multi-national collaborations. It's simply too expensive for any one country to develop their own even if they have an existing industry. Sweden's own Next Generation Fighter program is already in serious question and they are looking at joining one of the other teams and abandoning their own project. Gripen is quite likely the last purely domestic fighter you'll see out of Sweden.

 

[Quirky]

Compared to our neighbours we're the pinnacle of rationality.

That's not a standard to follow.

 

[PrairieFella]

If we go for 66 F35 could we not add just as many Rafales for EU integration? F35 may be our best option for NA but wouldn't rafales be easier to integrate on NATO tasks overseas? For F35 say 30 in Bagotville, 30 in Bloggins AFB or whichever US base they make us park them at since we dont meet the requirements in Cold Lake yet and then have some in warstock for whatever the air force equivalent is. For rafale have 30 in Poland or Germany, 30 somewhere in Canada to hedge our f35 bet and another six in warstock.

 

[KevinB]

I get what your saying.... but why would we not be able to have a fighter industry if Sweden can?

Keep in mind Sweden wasn’t in NATO till very recently. They had to do a lot of things on their own, and accept a lot of limitations.

 

[Genetk44]

Sweden has an existing fighter industry and all of the sub-industries to support it. Canada would have to build the industry from scrap which would be much more expensive than keeping an existing industry going.

Also fighters are getting more complex and expensive with each new generation. There is a reason why the planned replacements for the Rafale and the Eurofighter are multi-national collaborations. It's simply too expensive for any one country to develop their own even if they have an existing industry. Sweden's own Next Generation Fighter program is already in serious question and they are looking at joining one of the other teams and abandoning their own project. Gripen is quite likely the last purely domestic fighter you'll see out of Sweden.

Ok….that makes sense. Understood.

 

[KevinB]

Get Bombardier serious about making long range jet/rocket/ramjet powered drones

Better yet a Westerner who has drive and innovative ideas.

 

[Kirkhill]

Keep in mind Sweden wasn’t in NATO till very recently. They had to do a lot of things on their own, and accept a lot of limitations.

And?

They still have 80% of something.
We have 100% of nothing.

They also have their own small arms, ammunition, energetics, missiles, radar, sonar, eo/ir, comms, vehicles, bearings, electronics,

Carl Gustafs, AT4s, NLAWs, Bills, Strix, RBSs of various types, Archers, Bandvagns, CV90s, Stridsvagn 103s (yes I still like that old relic as a field gun), Bofors 40 and 57, Gripens.....ad nauseam.

We could. We have chosen not to because it was easier to do nothing and trust in our neighbours.