Canada plans to buy NEW Fighter Jets - F-35 reported chosen

[Bigtime]

Deliveries starting in 2025 is pretty good too.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by TKB

So after the Libs declared they would not buy the F-35, they dragged their feet on buying anything (except some old obsolete F-18s from Australia). Now since they see what just occurred in Ukraine they quickly declare it will be the F-35…good grief what a complete joke that was. If they would of pulled their heads out of their collective asses we could of had them by now.

Is it not so on brand for this Government though? They've had the last 7 years to get this across the finish line but continue to do nothing.

Now we're in the middle of possibly the biggest military and humanitarian crisis of our lifetime and Canada is left with its noodle flapping in the wind. Again. Unable to provide any sort of quality air support or defense, god forbid it should be needed, and also at the point of being fully unable to provide any further military aid to Ukraine without putting our own weapons reserves into severe question.

Now we just have to wait another 2-4 years to see them start rolling in.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If Canada indeed buys all these jets, does it make sense to look at a carrier? Would a Navy with just a carrier and a bunch of subs be sufficient?

We lost that naval culture when we retired our last carrier.



Canada doesn't really need to project power to be honest, that's not our role, but it certainly is the role for a carrier.


You would literally need to build a dedicated battlegroup around a carrier to protect it. Anti-submarine frigates or destroyers. Anti-Air destroyers or even missile cruisers. Good submarines that can move at a high rate of speed to feel out ahead of the group.



On average a modern carrier battle group can cost up to a trillion dollars when its all said and done with men materials, ships, etc.



One thing I did push for a while ago was that Canada should buy one or two amphibious assault ships which could double for fleet supply, inshore supply and with helicopters be a hell of a platform for delivering humanitarian aid.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

I'm glad the decision has finally occurred. One silver lining to the long delay is we should be getting Block 4 or possibly later machines, which are a significant upgrade.

As I understand it, many of the early machines can't even be economically upgraded to Block 4.


https://theconversation.com/australi...ng-them-177156

More on the Block 4 update that's supposed to expand the weapons capability of the F-35 and is considered a lethal jump forward


https://warriormaven.com/air/f-35-bl...outmatch-china


https://www.janes.com/defence-news/n...r-block-4-f-35

[Circa89]

Anyone know why a fighter jet was just buzzing around Calgary this afternoon?

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Circa89

Anyone know why a fighter jet was just buzzing around Calgary this afternoon?

Exercise ended in the US, Hornets are flying back to Cold Lake. We had 4 come through Calgary yesterday as well as more today

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Circa89

Anyone know why a fighter jet was just buzzing around Calgary this afternoon?

Red Dawn?

[dammage79]

Glad they pulled the trigger. At least now they can attempt to draw pilots to the forces with new equipments. And new tech training for future proof careers.

Tough sell when you are trying to find pilots for an out dated fighter.

Can't wait to see some flying around soon (2026?)

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Azure

Everyone knew it would always be the F-35s.

Liberal voters won't even care about the incompetence that the Trudeau government has shown.

Well, I think we should lay a lot of blame on the procurement side as well. It’s a mess.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Fun fact - Magellan Aerospace manufacturers several parts of the F-35.

NSFW!

Magellan's largest shareholder is no other than, yes, Murray Edwards.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Fun fact - Magellan Aerospace manufacturers several parts of the F-35.

NSFW!

Magellan's largest shareholder is no other than, yes, Murray Edwards.

Does that mean he can pay for an arena now?

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Is it not so on brand for this Government though? They've had the last 7 years to get this across the finish line but continue to do nothing.

Now we're in the middle of possibly the biggest military and humanitarian crisis of our lifetime and Canada is left with its noodle flapping in the wind. Again. Unable to provide any sort of quality air support or defense, god forbid it should be needed, and also at the point of being fully unable to provide any further military aid to Ukraine without putting our own weapons reserves into severe question.

Now we just have to wait another 2-4 years to see them start rolling in.

Of the ~730 F-35s in operation how many are providing air support and defense in Ukraine?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Of the ~730 F-35s in operation how many are providing air support and defense in Ukraine?

Zero, but they are definitely patrolling near the borders. There are some sweet shots on instagram of air to air refueling of them (and Eurofighters and others).

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Zero, but they are definitely patrolling near the borders. There are some sweet shots on instagram of air to air refueling of them (and Eurofighters and others).

Ok, you should definitely keep those sweet shots to yourself.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Of the ~730 F-35s in operation how many are providing air support and defense in Ukraine?

Very strange question, that I would think you know the answer to.

[CaptainCrunch]

I wonder how this effects Saab's enthusiasm in terms of not the development but manufacture of the JAS-29E. They've lost the Canadian Bid, the German bid and several other large ones as it seems like the F-35 is pretty much becoming the defacto choice especially with the economic press and reduced cost.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Barnes

Ok, you should definitely keep those sweet shots to yourself.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CbpNRKqs..._web_copy_link

[Fuzz]

Are those extra fuel pods outbound on the wings on the tanker?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Are those extra fuel pods outbound on the wings on the tanker?

No, I believe those are drogue probe pods. For air to air refueling using the probe and drogue system versus the boom the F35 is using in the shot.

[btimbit]

Yup that's correct. Like these