Canada considers buying F/A-18 instead of F-35

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World Defense & Security News - Canada
 
 
Canada considers buying F/A-18 instead of F-35
 
The Canadian Government is allegedly close to acquiring Boeing F/A-18E/F fighter aircraft instead of F-35. According to the Canadian National Post newspaper, this was discussed during last week’s cabinet meeting. Although a formal decision has not been made, the government is looking for the narrative to support its intent, according to the newspaper’s official source.
     
Canada considers buying F A 18 instead of F 35 640 001A RCAF CF-188 Hornet fighter jet
     
The new fighter aircraft would not replace the current fleet of 80 CF-18, out of the 135 initially acquired, but enhance it and fill-in the operational gap in the Canadian Air Force’s capabilities due to Hornet’s aging. This is true regarding Canada’s position in NORAD and NATO, and F-35s delays.

However, the intent to acquire Super Hornets could possibly be considered a way to push the F-35 procurement further in the future, without triggering any legal costs given the previous government’s decision to procure 65 JSF. Although the previous Conservative cabinet of Canada ruled in favour of the F-35 programme, the Auditor General and other officials raised concerns over the plan and its high costs.