Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald
Has Canada decided on the F35 fighter, or is the Gripen still a possibility? The smart play is to tell the Americans to go #### themselves and bring the manufacturing capacity of the Gripen to Canada. I hope Carney recognizes this as a move to greater sovereignty.
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I keep waiting for news on this. The only thing I have seen recently is that Saab has upped their benefits package to Canada stating that going with the Gripen will result in 12,600 jobs in Canada with increased supply chain benefits within Canada and a growing list of customers wanting to buy Gripens in the EU.
It really seems like a no-brainer at this point. In one option we are a customer to buy military equipment from a nation that is threatening to conquer us (and they get to hold the kill switch on the equipment). In the other option we are a partner and a builder and are given the ability to create jobs and eventually export equipment made in Canada.
I think that as long as Canada accepts the first batch of F35s, specifically for when we have joint ventures with the US, we can shift to the Gripen for future purchasing as being "better suited to our climate" and "better for our economy" or other soft rationale that shouldn't raise eyebrows. Anyone who is arguing for the F35 can be silenced because we did buy a few.