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Originally Posted by BlackArcher101
Does this Ukraine war at all change our outlook on the technology we need?
Is it now only China we would be worried about technology wise which would push for the F35?
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I don't think things have changed much for Canada, other than more information comes in on the operation of each jet the longer we wait. It's between the F-35 and the Gripen-E. Both will fill Canada's needs, and have capabilities that so far exceed what the CF-18s can do, it's all really academic.
The two most steeped in knowledge around these parts, Capt like the F-35 and Baron likes the Gripen. I've always been partial to the Gripen. With what is happening in Ukraine, I kind of like the idea of having a jet with slightly different capability to the American fleet, with the defense of North America being so integrated. If we had F-35s, it feels like a drop of water into a bucket of water, but with the Gripen it might be more of a drop of oil.
That would irritate America politically.
Either way, long long overdue, and anything is a massive improvement. If it's pure integration with NORAD, the F-35 wins, but Saab is adding this from an economic, and long term maintenance perspective.
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Saab, on the other hand, is pitching that Canadian Gripens be assembled in Canada (at IMP Aerospace & Defence in Nova Scotia) and more importantly that all of the intellectual property rights for sustainment and operations become the property of the federal government. That by itself is a significant concession that would give Canada sovereign control over its fighter jet fleet in a manner that has not been seen in decades.
"To have the capabilities in Canada [handled] by Canadians is a way to give Canada sovereign control over the system," said Stefan Nygren, Saab's campaign director in Canada.
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In 2015 during the election campaign, Trudeau said that the savings from buying the Saab would be spent on upgrading the navy, and he has done exactly nothing.