Quote:
Originally Posted by underGRADFlame
I'm surprised, shocked, relieved and dismayed all at the same time.
I can't believe they actually did it... thought I'd never see the day. I still feel that some how they CF/Government will pooch this up some how, by cancelling further orders and we will end up with 16 F-35's, 8 Gripens and 28 80's era F-18 air frames.
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Um I have a lot of questions.
Are we running a mixed airforce? hat makes no sense based on the ongoing strategy of the RCAF. needing to have multiple stockpiles of parts, needing to have multiple stockpiles of weapons. Having to have multiple training programs.
It makes no sense.
Also the Gripens won't interact properly with the F35's.
And the F-18's are far beyond their end of life in terms of airframes and avionics.
The original purchase price that was agreed to was 9 billion for 88 now its 16 for 7 billion, meanwhile the actual manufacturing price of the F-35's has slipped down to around $100 million per copy or less.
did we just get a F you for delaying so long penalty from MD?
I think we need a strategy statement from our Defense Minister, but this seems like a really underwhelming deal.
My guess is the esteemed Liberals are going to announce that we have an airforce of 16 fighters by 2050, and a mix of cargo planes and maritime patrol craft.