What is the F-35?
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a single-engine, single-seat jet developed and produced by Texas-based defence giant Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Defence Department is overseeing the project and there are nine partner nations, including Canada.
The F-35 is envisioned as a jack-of-all-trades aircraft that will be able to attack ground targets and engage in air-to-air combat. There are three versions, the main difference being how much runway is needed to take off and land. Canada is planning to purchase only the standard variant, which requires a normal-length runway.
Why did Canada become involved?
Jean Chretien’s Liberal government recognized in 1997 that Canada’s CF-18 fighter jets were approaching the end of their lives. By signing on to the U.S.-led project then and agreeing to continue participating in 2002, it ensured Canada would be able to influence the design while making Canadian companies eligible for contracts. Auditor-General Michael Ferguson’s report said that “securing industrial benefits for Canadian companies continued to be a driving motivation for participation” in 2002.
What were the implications of those two decisions?
The Chretien government cut a cheque for $10.6-million in 1997. It wrote another for $100-million in 2002 and disbursed $50-million to help Canadian companies involved in the project. Neither decision obligated Canada to purchase any F-35s, but it did allow Canadian companies to bid on contracts.
Then what happened?
Auditor-General Michael Ferguson said the key decision was made in late 2006, when the Conservative government approved Canada’s involvement in the third phase. It was then that Canada agreed to contribute up to $551-million to the aircraft’s ongoing development over the next 40 years — whether it purchased any F-35s or not. The government agreed in principle to purchase 80 F-35s.
more Q&A here:
F-35 debate: All you need to know before it hits parliament | News | National Post
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a single-engine, single-seat jet developed and produced by Texas-based defence giant Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Defence Department is overseeing the project and there are nine partner nations, including Canada.
The F-35 is envisioned as a jack-of-all-trades aircraft that will be able to attack ground targets and engage in air-to-air combat. There are three versions, the main difference being how much runway is needed to take off and land. Canada is planning to purchase only the standard variant, which requires a normal-length runway.
Why did Canada become involved?
Jean Chretien’s Liberal government recognized in 1997 that Canada’s CF-18 fighter jets were approaching the end of their lives. By signing on to the U.S.-led project then and agreeing to continue participating in 2002, it ensured Canada would be able to influence the design while making Canadian companies eligible for contracts. Auditor-General Michael Ferguson’s report said that “securing industrial benefits for Canadian companies continued to be a driving motivation for participation” in 2002.
What were the implications of those two decisions?
The Chretien government cut a cheque for $10.6-million in 1997. It wrote another for $100-million in 2002 and disbursed $50-million to help Canadian companies involved in the project. Neither decision obligated Canada to purchase any F-35s, but it did allow Canadian companies to bid on contracts.
Then what happened?
Auditor-General Michael Ferguson said the key decision was made in late 2006, when the Conservative government approved Canada’s involvement in the third phase. It was then that Canada agreed to contribute up to $551-million to the aircraft’s ongoing development over the next 40 years — whether it purchased any F-35s or not. The government agreed in principle to purchase 80 F-35s.
more Q&A here:
F-35 debate: All you need to know before it hits parliament | News | National Post
