Quote:
Originally Posted by Byrns
Based on your example, a drone would be cheaper and just as effective.
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While Drones might work well for air to ground campaigns, I don't buy that they're effective as a multirole solution which Canada requires because of the size of our airforce.
I'm also un easy about Drones that use external communications to pilot.
In terms of Naval precence versus planes. I think we need strong elements in both.
However in the arctic a ship, or even an ice breaker is probably travelling at 5 knots to a maximum of 20 knots. A Plane can be on site 100 times faster and can project power on coast line defenses better.
As for the acertation of the russians not being a threat because of the perception of them flying old school Bear and Badger bombers when they approach our coast line. we certainly haven't seen their varsity which consists of Supersonic capable bombers like the Backfire and the BlackJack, which Putin announced he will be expanding their fleet. At the same time the Soviet Military which is going through a fairly heavy buildup in terms of Submarine forces and the development of long range next generation missile carrying bombers.
To me there is a threat to the arctic, with so many parties scrambling to claim those resources, and when you have an airforce of a mere 60 jets, then you need to make sure that those jets have a strategic advantage and are not merely equal to those of our enemies.