I'm not a supporter of the F-35 by any stretch, but I am in the minority. I think the Gripen E is more than adequate for Canada's needs. However, I believe the opposite is true when it comes to politics. Namely, the USA will bitch and bellyache and NORAD will moan and groan and, at the end of the exercise, the GoC will choose F-35.
I believe Gripen E is a better option than upgraded CF-18. But, like I wrote earlier, this latest announcement about CF-18 upgrades means the G0C will kick the can down the road some more with respect to new fighter procurement.
The Gripen will never happen, most specifically for the reasons you mention.
I feel the F-15EX would be nearly ideal for Canada's needs, that won't happen either.
It's not designed to be a warship. Its purpose is to patrol Arctic and offshore waters, which could include the Caribbean and the African coasts. It's not designated to operate in conflict zones. Does its role and perceived threat require it to need a bigger gun from Day 1? No. Have the Kingston frigates been in danger of attack recently? No.
However, if push comes to shove, higher calibre guns and/or missile systems can be added to the boat.
I remember the same arguments were made against the MCDVs and they have done their job well. The AOPS will play a significant role performing hydrographic work in the Arctic. This is a significant job because our charts for the Arctic are inadequate. Increasingly, there are more cruise ships up there and it's a scenario just asking for a SAR operation. Thus, it's an important role for the RCN to prevent future SAR ops by doing the hydrographic work now.
Yes, this sounds like a Coast Guard job, but the Coast Guard has its own problems and they need to revitalize their fleet. Even so, the Arctic is large enough that there is room for both RCN and CCG participation.
At the end of the day, at least it's a new ship.
It seems like it'll do its job as a patrol ship quite well. It's definitely needed
Interestingly enough I believe the coast guard is going to get two now as well once the RCN ships are completed
To me it comes down to the Gripen and the F-35 and likely the F-35 wins as it continues to go to deployed status and as massive production runs reduce the pricing.
The Super Hornet is a nice plane, but we shouldn't be buying behind the curves, especially with the idea of a smaller airforce.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
The project to purchase pistols to replace the Canadian military’s Second World War-era handguns is once again underway and National Defence hopes to have the new weapons by the summer of 2022.
The project had been stalled for years after small arms firms rejected in 2011 the federal government requirement that the guns be built at Colt Canada in Kitchener, Ont. In addition, the companies balked at the stipulation they had to turn over their proprietary firearms information to Colt, a firm that some saw as a competitor.
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Captain James P. DeCOSTE, CD, 18 Sep 1993
If there was anything that should be a simple off the shelf purchase it should be pistols. Buy a bunch of guns and ammo and you're done.
Of course companies aren't going to hand over proprietor information unless you pay for it. And as laudible as it is that we want them manufactured here. Its a limited run so who cares.
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My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
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It's quite stupid. Buy the guns that best suit the job and don't demand that they be made at the Colt factory...
Is Colt even relevant anymore in firearms? The were banned from making M4's and the M4 itself is soon to be obsolete in the world of military firearms.
Oh wait...that makes it a prime candidate for Canadian military procurement....
Is Colt even relevant anymore in firearms? The were banned from making M4's and the M4 itself is soon to be obsolete in the world of military firearms.
Oh wait...that makes it a prime candidate for Canadian military procurement....
They're relevant in Canada because they bought (then ruined) Diemaco
But Colt Canada still makes very nice stuff, downhill from the Diemaco days, but still miles ahead of its parent company
Airbus provides a nice walkthrough of the new C295's arriving - inside and out.
Lots of opportunities to debate whether the C295 should have won the RCAF FWSAR competition, but that aside, it's nice to see some new metal of some sort flying.
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