Canada To Dump The F-35 Jet Purchase

© Flickr/ United States Marine Corps

Reuters: Canada election results seen as bad news for Lockheed's F-35

Oct 20 (Reuters) - The election of Canada's Liberal leader Justin Trudeau as prime minister spells bad news for Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 fighter jet program given Trudeau's staunch opposition to any F-35 purchases, U.S. industry and government sources said on Tuesday.

Trudeau's election offers hope to Boeing Co, whose F/A-18E/F fighter jets are nearing the end of production and could be considered to replace Canada's current aging CF-18 fighter jets.

Industry executives and government officials said there would be difficulty ahead for the F-35 program.

WNU Editor: I have been told that Canada's purchase of the F-35 program will be scrapped .... and a new bidding process will be mandated. I have also been told that Boeing's F/A-18E/F fighter jet is favoured as being the perfect jet for Canada .... it has two engines (ideal when you are flying around in the Arctic and one of the engines malfunctions), and Canadian maintenance crews are already experienced with the CF-18 (an older version of the F/A-18E/F fighter). Costs are also a factor .... especially since  the F-35 is becoming a very expensive plane. I expect the official announcement will be made when the new defence minister is named in the coming weeks (and no .... I do not know who that person will be).

More News On Reports That The Incoming New Canadian Government Will Scrap The F-35 Purchase

Liberals Win Canadian Vote; May Drop F-35 Program -- Defense News/AFP
Canada election results threaten F-35 program -- UPI
Canada's Trudeau will dump $130 million stealth jets Australia wants to buy -- Sydney Morning Herald
Trudeau Victory Threatens US F-35 Jet Deal With Canada - Reports -- Sputnik
Justin Trudeau, Canada's incoming prime minister, could axe F-35 -- IHS Jane's 360
Canada May Dump F-35, Open New Competition -- Defense World
How the Liberal’s Win in Canada Could Hurt the F-35 -- Martin Matishak, Fiscal Times