Exactly, see my post #663
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) News and Discussions
- Thread starter John Fedup
- Start date
Why would US veto the sale, as if it did veto it, that would drive Canada to buy a European solution, and that is not in US interest.
Far better to ok Canada buying RAAF Classics and in a relatively short time Canada will be back needing new fighters, and by then they may find the political will to buy F-35.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #683
I agree but the current administration is is bizarre to say the least. The NAFTA talks are starting to fall on the rails. The "no fast jets" option, which is not likely, is still more probable than Euro jets.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #684
Just in case anyone is wondering why junior and his almost as stupid defence minister disgust me, here is their current plan for the RCAF. Fifty year old helicopters, why not 50 year old Hornets? This idea should enhance the RAAF's ability to hire away RCAF pilots.
CF-18s flying until 2030 or beyond? | Ottawa Citizen
CF-18s flying until 2030 or beyond? | Ottawa Citizen
t68
Well-Known Member
Hi John can't read the link as it keeps crashing on me for some reason, is the source of that infomation defence?
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #686
Unnamed officials at DND and some people in industry were the sources.
The link works for me
t68
Well-Known Member
Thanks mate
I think because I'm on my iPhone, notice it's doing it a lot lately, might be a sign to upgrade.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #690
This story from FlightGlobal references a RFT for fast jets in 2019. Unless our classic Hornets start dropping from the skies, I can't see junior wanting to start this RFT during an election year. Once he wins his second mandate, fast jets will be pushed further into the future, one because he doesn't want to buy anything, and two, the CSC program will probably be approaching cluster cluck stage by the start of his second mandate and it will be the main focus for his next defence minister, a sorry sod he will be.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...expects-fifth-generation-fighter-cont-443137/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/a...expects-fifth-generation-fighter-cont-443137/
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #692
I think the interim jet buy is off the table and if something is needed short term, the used Oz Hornets seems to be the fallback. Even if it was decided to buy some interim jets, Canada could get F-35s just quickly as Gripen Es and the F-35 is the only follow on purchase that makes sense. If our current PM remains in office, perhaps his plan for the RCAF is a small fleet of fast jets for shooting down rogue airliners. If this is his plan then Gripens would be his least expensive option. It is just as likely he has no plan at all.
t68
Well-Known Member
Sorry to go off topic and political, is Jnr still popular and what of his chances at the next general election. I was hopping his miss management would put him on the nose with the general populace
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #694
The general populace (the whining electorate) will buy into his BS promises only to forget what they were even before he publicly dismisses them. Barring some large economic crisis(e.g. NAFTA collapse or something as significant), he will get reelected. At present the conservatives are not looking like a party that is much better. Constipation or diarrhea.
John Newman
The Bunker Group
John,
Here's a more detailed report from DefenseNews:
https://www.defensenews.com/digital...the-sooner-the-better-on-fighter-acquisition/
So if the intention is to start the competition (yet again!) in 2019 and have contracts signed in 2021 for the 'permanent' replacement for the Classic fleet, then logically you would think that an interim purchases wasn't necessary at all (which a lot of people thought wasn't necessary in the first place!).
But of course this is Canadian procurement, the 2019 and 2021 dates, could easily become 2025 and 2027, etc, etc!!
Couple of interesting quotes from Lt. Gen. Michael Hood:
“A 2019 RFP would get us into contract probably by 2021, and certainly my advice to government is the sooner the better.”
And this one:
However, Hood stated that interoperability with the United States continues to be “the most important thing to me as command of the Royal Canadian Air Force.”
“Every step less of interoperability is one step less of effectiveness, so interoperability is right at the top of the list beside operational advantage,” he said. “I want the young men and women that are going to be flying fighters into harm’s way to have an operational advantage, and that will be key to me in the competition that’s coming.”
Sounds like he want's an US fighter (F-35A? Hint, hint!).
Anyway, good luck to the Chief of the RCAF, hope he succeeds in having is plan actually proceed to reality (but of course I'm not going to hold my breath!).
Well his reputation has hit rock bottom at the APEC meeting in Da Nang yesterday. All 11 trade ministers had agreed in principle on the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade deal albeit with some issues to be sorted. Just as it was about to be signed the Canadian PM didn't show up without explanation and the deal was off despite the support of the
Canadian Trade Minister. Other leaders were furious particular as Trudeau's action seemed to be crass political motive. It seems there is a rather tricky by election happening in Canada which the leader thought would be well served by his actions.
Sorry for OT politics but you started it!
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #697
The election is 2 years away and there is no apparent reason for him to be concerned with his re-election chances. Why he wouldn't show up is strange, even for him.
By election, according to Sunday Agenda on Fox.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #699
I will have check into this, I don't pay much attention to by elections. He has a huge majority so he can afford to lose a few seats.
John Fedup
The Bunker Group
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #700
@ John Newman....Mike Hood is a good guy. He made no secret of his opposition to the Superhornet interim purchase. I think he is being a bit optimistic on an early tender.