Quote:
Originally Posted by dammage79
Getting out of the F35 isn't a fault of Canada but of the U.S and their geopolitical stance. Remember, they don't need us. They don't need us to buy their stuff. Besides, we couldn't use them to defend ourselves against the U.S if they move on us when we got them, or if they'd even start sending Jets to us while they're still deciding when they're going to annex us.
The 20th time trump said publicly we need to be the 51st state was the time Canada should have ripped the F35 contract up.
Want no part of a struggling 5th gen fighter made by a country who is actively putting us under threat. It's essentially useless junk right now.
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I totally understand the anger and the sentiment, I really do. I just don't know if canceling that contract is in Canada's best overall interests from a military perspective globally. A lot of our allies and NATO partners have or will have F35 jets very soon. I don't know if it's the best but is considered a top jet. As I said in my post, if we can find a suitable replacement within the same time frame, maybe something to think about. I suspect the sentiment and the reaction is more emotional. This has been studied and studied for ages and the same conclusion is reached. It's not like our existing fleet or a rival jet from France would better protect us from a US invasion.
We can use other military dollars for a more home grown defense industry, strike deals for energy and minerals with more international partners. There is a lot we should do going forward now that we have a fractured relationship.
Sec State Rubio let an interesting tidbit at the G7 meetings. Indicated that Trudeau had told Trump that with those tariffs, Canada economically wouldn't really be able to compete as an independent state. Wither or no that happened I don't know and some on this forum may wish to disagree but these tariffs/trade war indicate the different level we do business going forward needs to change. It's a completely different mindset and I don't think poking a 10 time larger sized bear right off the bat will help us.