Maestro
Master Sergeant
That part I don't know... I just know they are pretty old.
Canada to Purchase 65 F-35s
- Thread starter Catch22
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
That part I don't know... I just know they are pretty old.
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Just seen some of it mate, they were offered the F-18E/F, but went for the F-35 instead! I think that I'd have gone for the Super Hornet instead myself....
Still a very good and modern aircraft, but......next day delivery pretty much! How long will the CAF have to wait for the '35 to be delivered?
Still a very good and modern aircraft, but......next day delivery pretty much! How long will the CAF have to wait for the '35 to be delivered?
- Thread starter
- #23
Catch22
Major
Jan, they are A/B's upgraded to C/D standard. We first started receiving them in 1982, so the airframes themselves are 28 years old. A CF-18 just crashed last week actually, they don't know the cause yet, but it's thought it was mechanical. The pilot ejected safely though, though he has some compression fractures in his spine but will be fine and return to duty.
I originally thought the Superhornet may be a better buy for us, but as I've looked at things more the F-35 IS what we need, but I see Maestro's point in that maybe we should have a two type fighter fleet, much like it was with the CF-101s and CF-104s. So perhaps cut back on a few of the F-35s and buy some Superhornets as well? Hell, perhaps we can keep pushing the CF-18, though that may not be feasible. I just hope the deal gets through all of the political nonsense.
EDIT: We'd have to wait till 2017 to take delivery Jan.
Last edited:
Maestro
Master Sergeant
Nah... What I'm saying is keep the F-35s (all of them) and find a second plane to add to the fleet. I think a two-types fighter fleet would be great.
- Thread starter
- #25
Catch22
Major
Ah k. Yeah, I agree with that too, but you know they'll never budget for that.
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
7 years!? Will the F-18's survive that?
Yup, fully agreed. If they have to be replaced, I still think the Grippen would be a worthy successor as well. I believe they're quite a bit cheaper.
michaelmaltby
Colonel
"... I still think the Grippen would be a worthy successor as well. I believe they're quite a bit cheaper. "
Can't see Canada buying Gippens, Marcel. No "off-sets" likely when dealing with a Swedish manufacturer and the quantity would not be large.
Australia probably got it right .... Super F-18s to tide them over till the F-35s come on stream.
MM
Can't see Canada buying Gippens, Marcel. No "off-sets" likely when dealing with a Swedish manufacturer and the quantity would not be large.
Australia probably got it right .... Super F-18s to tide them over till the F-35s come on stream.
MM
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
For the sake of the discussion, how many Gripens would you get, for the price of the 65 F-35's?
michaelmaltby
Colonel
Lucky13 I haven't a clue - but I'd guess 2.5 Grippens for each F-35 
MM
MM
Last year, The Dutch got an offer for 85 Grippen, for €4.800.000.000 (4.8 bilion), the order for 85 F35's was aproximately €6.100.000.000 (6.1 billion). So you could roughly buy 108 Grippen for the price of 85 F35's.
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
A fair difference fellas!
- Thread starter
- #33
Catch22
Major
Yes. In this situation though there are so many factors other than cost however, such as production contracts within Canada and stuff like that.
Maestro
Master Sergeant
Yeah... I heard on the radio an expert explaining that with all of the production contracts put together, we would roughly make a $1,000,000,000 net income. (In other words, we would get those planes for free plus $1 billion dollars going straight in our pockets.)
This can easily be explained by the fact that the USAF ordered 200 new F-35s and that Canadian industries would be making parts for them also.
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Seeing that BAe Systems is involved, isn't that in a way working against Gripen, which they're supposed to sell as well? How does this work?? 
Australia's choice of Super Hornet seems wise, and would be an excellent interim choice for Canada as well.
Super Hornet dual-engine, long range, tanker capability, etc, etc, etc seem well suited for missions over the vast expanses of Canada as well as expeditionary missions.
Super Hornet dual-engine, long range, tanker capability, etc, etc, etc seem well suited for missions over the vast expanses of Canada as well as expeditionary missions.
BombTaxi
Tech Sergeant
Seeing that BAe Systems is involved, isn't that in a way working against Gripen, which they're supposed to sell as well? How does this work??
I guess BaE will push whichever product best fits the bill. It's like walking into a car showroom - the salesman will always try to sell you the car that suits your needs, then load it with extras, rather than something dearer (making him more money), that you don't want. Better to make a bit less than nothing at all old chap! 8)
EDIT: To clarify, I know the JSF id more expensive 'per unit' at face value, than the Gripen, but the money Canada will get from BaE for building parts of the JSF will offset the difference, so effectively BaE are selling a 'cheaper' option to secure a sale, rather than selling the Gripen and making greater gross profit. And if that makes sense, I'll get another beer!
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Admiral Beez
Major
And now these bozos….
www.thestar.com
Do they want the RCAF to follow the RNZAF and drop any fighter capability whatsoever?
No Fighter Jets Coalition protests Canada’s planned F-35 purchase
OTTAWA - A group called the No Fighter Jets Coalition is holding weekend rallies to oppose Ottawa’s plans to buy F-35 strike fighters.
Do they want the RCAF to follow the RNZAF and drop any fighter capability whatsoever?
Last edited:
