F-35. Lockheed Martin photo
Reuters: Canada Liberals to start fighter competition afresh
Oct 26 Canada's incoming Liberal government intends to completely restart the competition for fighter jets to replace its aging CF-18s, rather than relying on the proposals already made under the outgoing Conservatives, a Liberal source said on Monday.
He said the Liberals, who declared during their successful election campaign that they would not buy Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 stealth fighters, would put out a new "request for proposals," with a redesigned list of what the new planes will be required to do.
"We're going to put together the requirements we have for aircraft," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. "I don't think we trust the (Conservative) government's requirements."
The Liberals take power on Nov. 4, when the new ministers of defense and public works will be named.
Update #1: Canada might become the first country to pull out of the F-35 program (Business Insider)
Update #2: Canada's F-35 Decision Poised To Shake Up Fighter Jet Market (Defense News)
WNU Editor: My prediction .... the lobbying is going to be intense, but because of F-35 costs and limitations in patrolling the Arctic the Liberal government will not be picking this jet fighter.