(Source: Hill Times; published Dec. 07, 2016)
The “notional” timetable for the potential acquisition over five years was the same calendar set out in 2014 by the former Conservative government before it delayed an F-35 acquisition decision until after the 2015 election year, according to information DND provided to The Hill Times in response to questions about the current status of Canada’s involvement in the F-35 fighter program.
In addition to signing the memo laying out the potential F-35 purchase schedule, the Liberals also paid $32.9-million to the U.S. office organizing the F-35 program in June to support the development of the warplane, allowing Canada the option of staying in the program, the Canadian Press reported.
In the recent controversy over the federal cabinet’s decision to sole-source an acquisition of 18 Boeing Company F-18 Super Hornets to replenish Canada’s aging fleet of Boeing CF-18 Hornet fighter jets, the government has stated Canada would continue to take part in development and production of the F-35 as part of a U.S.-led consortium that formed in 2006.
But, while reiterating Canadian aerospace companies would continue to have access to F-35 production through Canada’s membership in the nine-country consortium, the government did not publicize its decision to file a new acquisition schedule, however tentative, as part of ongoing participation in the F-35 project.
A spokesperson for Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan (Vancouver South, B.C.) said the notice to the F-35 project office was routine.
“Like all partners in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), Canada signs a yearly decision memorandum,” Mr. Sajjan’s press secretary, Jordan Owens, said.
“It is simply a mandatory element of program participation, which has resulted in significant economic benefits to Canadian companies,” Ms. Owens wrote in an emailed comment. (end of excerpt)
Click here for the full story, on the Hill Times website.
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