this post was submitted on 03 Nov 2023
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F-35 fighter jet to cost Canada $74 billion, says PBO (ottawacitizen.com)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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During the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau vowed that his government would never purchase the F-35.

As prime minister, Trudeau continued to point out the Canadian military had no need for the F-35. “Canadians know full well that, for 10 years, the Conservatives completely missed the boat when it came to delivering to Canadians and their armed forces the equipment they needed,” Trudeau said in June 2016. “They clung to an aircraft (the F-35) that does not work and is far from working.”

The Liberal government also noted the F-35’s “stealth first-strike capability” was not needed to defend Canada.

But Trudeau flipped on his election promise, not only committing to the purchase but increasing the number of jets from the 65 the Conservatives had wanted to buy to 88.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This is actually news in reverse. Considering present world situation (Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in the works) and the fact that between election in 2016 and now situation is absolutely and categorically different, Canada does need modern fleet. War in Ukraine highlighted all of the weaknesses of old equipment as well as prompted NATO members to be ready to depmoy forces outside of their own borders (yes, russia won't be attacking Canada, but it may attack nearby NATO states and Canada will have to step in. Sending our pilots for slaughter under those conditions is wreckless).

While I'm no fan of JT and his flipping on promisses, this time I think there's credit due. Article title should've read: "Canadian government reacted to military escalations around the globe by moving forward with fleet upgrade". We can debate what should fleet be upgraded to, but the fact that it has to be upgraded is obvious.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Yeah, the article headline should be "Speech loving PM actually makes good call and reverses decision to not buy F-35s".

Particularly now that the jet is looking less like a lemon, and that it's function of being an intelligence sharing hub to drones and smart missiles seems to be looking more and more critical.

It does seem like investing in disposable kill drones is maybe the best route right now for military spending?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

if anything, war in Ukraine has shown that it's not all about big equipment if you want to hold position, but to move, you need heavy stuff

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

On the Ukrainian side, one of the issues they're running into, as far as I understand it, is long range missiles being fired from jets inside Russian territory.

From my understanding, firing and guiding long range missiles is exactly what the F-35
Is good at.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

that too. So no matter how you slice it we do need those jets. Couple of years ago I'd be arguing otherwise.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Hell, I'd have been right there with you.