Once More With Feeling: Canada Seeking 88 new Fighters in Open Competition

The Canadian Gov't will hold off until they can buy used F35s once they demonstrate they are as useful as used British submarines. They are also showing interest in the HMCS Queen Elisabeth after it was discovered to be taking on water.

As Canada formulates requirements for a future fighter to replace Boeing CF-18 Hornets, the government is now asking six potential bidders for information about their capabilities to maintain the new fleet.

A letter of interest sent to bidders on 23 July broadens the Canadian government’s year-long series of engagements with industry suppliers.

The letter asks the six potential bidders to provide feedback on how the government plans to divide the sustainment responsibilities between industry and the Department of National Defence.

“Please indicate any barriers or challenges that you would need to address to allow you to undertake this work for a future fighter fleet,” the letter states.

Sustainment practices among the six potential bidders vary widely. Lockheed Martin’s F-35A, for example, consolidates sustainment planning and support in a central hub, feeding data and parts to several regional depots stationed among the global partners. Other potential bidders, including the Boeing F/A-18E/F, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen, offer services ranging from turn-key maintenance support to varying levels of direct and indirect support.

www.flightglobal.com...

a reply to: anzha

The Canucks will not be flying Rafales: Dassault has withdrawn from the restarted Canadian fighter competition. The problem apparently was interoperability and intelligence sharing with US forces. Dassault thought they were too challenging, apparently.

www.defensenews.com...

The remaining competitors appear to be Saab, the Eurofighter consortium, Lockheed, and Boeing.

Bids are due in May.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Forensick

Because the current government decided that the F-35 doesn't work, and they need a twin engine platform. So now they're doing everything they can to push the competition back to the next government so they can say "We didn't buy the F-35".

That price is slightly lower than the US cost of an F-35B, so it's about right. The US paid $122M for the B model, plus engine in LRIP 10.

I dont understand this position. Has our PM and bis Liberal party announced their retirement?

They could be in power for the next 20 years. There is no term limit here. So i am not sure what you mean...

a reply to: MALBOSIA

They're hedging their bets. If they win, they can argue they had no choice because the courts ruled they can't exclude the F-35 from any competition, as long as it meets their requirements. If they lose, then they can say they stood their ground and didn't buy it, and whatever the incoming government does is on them.

originally posted by: anzha
The Canucks will not be flying Rafales: Dassault has withdrawn from the restarted Canadian fighter competition.

Interesting article you posted. Probably more a case that the French knew they would not get the job, so pulled early. Dassault are also trying to manage a scandal in their sale of Rafale to India.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: MALBOSIA

They're hedging their bets. If they win, they can argue they had no choice because the courts ruled they can't exclude the F-35 from any competition, as long as it meets their requirements. If they lose, then they can say they stood their ground and didn't buy it, and whatever the incoming government does is on them.

Hopefully all the costs are presented this time. If I recall, the Tories couldnt give a straight answer on the lifetime cost of an F-35.

I don't think we really need a strong airforce... if the US would stop picking fights with Russia and instead annihilate Chinas military, we could go back to CF-100s for allI care. They look cooler

a reply to: MALBOSIA

At the time NO ONE could give the cost for the lifetime of the aircraft. They had a good idea, but costs were still being worked out. One of the pretty big factors is how long you can fly the aircraft. Ultimate fatigue testing was only completed within the last year or so.

There is no worse way to make such a decision than looking at a hypothetical "lifetime cost".

Oh Canada...

www.defensenews.com...

Do they want some Kangaroos with them as well?We have millions.

a reply to: Blackfinger

How roo'd, Bf. How roo'd.

The moose they'd want is 40.

Eurofighter is bidding on the CF-18 replacement.

www.flightglobal.com...

originally posted by: anzha
Eurofighter is bidding on the CF-18 replacement.

www.flightglobal.com...

Nice.

Jacques says the Eurofighter bid will include some sort of participation from Canadian manufacturers, though the type of involvement in the aircraft’s supply chain or extent was not specified.

Maybe some added tech akin to the Canadarm, perhaps?