Canada’s Military current state & equipment

[Ron in Regina]

Saab intensifies pitch to sell Gripen jets to Canada, promising assortment of benefits — The Globe and Mail

Behind the scenes, Swedish defence company is pulling out all the stops to secure major order and deepen ties

apple.news

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra cautioned that if Canada scales back its F-35 order or opts for alternative aircraft like Sweden's Saab Gripen, the U.S. might have to alter the NORAD agreement.

In the final-assembly hall for the Saab Gripen fighter jet in the Swedish city of Linkoping, the flags of Saab’s eight customer countries hang above the production line. A ninth spot holds a white banner reading, in red capital letters, RESERVED. Asked whether it was for Canada, a Saab official smiled, shrugged and said nothing.

Why Canada risks Trump's ire if it chooses Gripen gamesmanship over F-35 stealth

Amid Carney’s F-35 review fueled by Trump trade threats, leaked DND data exposes the possibility of politics trumping capability.

nationalpost.com

“Saab, which manufactures the JAS 39E Gripen, lost a competitive bid in 2022, when Canada, looking to replace its aging fleet of F-18s, chose U.S.-based Lockheed Martin to buy 88 F-35s.

The deal locked in the purchase of the first 16 planes, which are now in production, but when American tariffs were first introduced a year and a half ago, Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the contract for the remaining 72 planes.

The F-35 review, and any potential decision on the Gripen, are now caught up in the intensifying trade war, with Washington reportedly demanding that Canada complete the full F-35 buy while calls mount for the federal government to cancel the rest of the order. In an interview, Saab CEO Micael Johansson put the decision in larger terms. “Canada has to decide, [does it] want the sovereign aerospace industry and is that important to them? That’s the first decision,” he said. “And then if they take that decision, Sweden and Saab is the best choice.”

He does not expect the F-35 to disappear; Canada has 16 under contract and has paid long-lead costs on 14 more. “I don’t think Canada will give up F-35 completely,” he said. “I have no clue how many.” Mr. Johansson insists that Saab is not asking Canada to choose between suppliers. “We’re not trying to replace F-35. That’s a Canadian sovereign decision to go F-35,” he said. And a minute later: “It’s not replacing F-35. It’s both.”

Canada won’t rush decision on F-35 deal amid U.S. trade tensions, defence minister says — CTV News

Canada’s defence minister says the federal government is still assessing all available options as it weighs whether to proceed with the planned purchase of F-35 fighter jets from the United States.

apple.news

 

[Dixie Cup]

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney, who served as minister of national defence in 2015, also pushed back against Mr. Hegseth’s post.

“In the midst of a hot war against a mortal enemy of the United States, the Secretary of War of the world’s only super power finds time to troll folks at a cadet camp for teenagers in Vernon, British Columbia,” Mr. Kenney wrote. “To our many friends in the great United States of America: What’s going on?”

Hegseth’s post belittling Canadian cadet program draws condemnation from across political spectrum — The Globe and Mail

Social-media episode is playing out amid an increasingly acrimonious relationship between the two countries, with trade talks stalled and tariffs escalating

apple.news

Canada is an ‘indispensable’ ally despite political tensions: U.S. admiral — Global News

The commander of U.S. Pacific Command tells reporters military-to-military relations need to stay above the political fray, as relations between Canada and the U.S. remain tense.

apple.news

It's called poking! just to get a reaction & he's successful. Too funny!!

 

[Dixie Cup]

Well, that was one way to get Denmark et al off their asses to protect the North. It worked, didn't it??? Hopefully more will be done.

 

[Ron in Regina]

One of the officials said the model includes tactics used by the Afghan mujahedeen in their hit-and-run attacks on Russian soldiers during the 1979-1989 Soviet-Afghan War. These were the same tactics employed by the Taliban in their 20-year war against the U.S. and allied forces that included Canada.

Carney prepared for risk that Trump might order military action against Canada, report says — The Globe and Mail

In a New York Times interview, the Prime Minister characterized a potential U.S. invasion as a remote possibility

apple.news

Asymmetric gorilla warfare? Canada does not have the number of military personnel or the sophisticated equipment needed to fend off a conventional American attack, they said. So, the military envisions unconventional warfare in which small groups of irregular military or armed civilians would resort to ambushes, sabotage, drone warfare or hit-and-run tactics.

(YouTube & Canadian Bacon Official Trailer #1 - Rip Torn Movie (1995) HD)

 

[pgs]

One of the officials said the model includes tactics used by the Afghan mujahedeen in their hit-and-run attacks on Russian soldiers during the 1979-1989 Soviet-Afghan War. These were the same tactics employed by the Taliban in their 20-year war against the U.S. and allied forces that included Canada.

Carney prepared for risk that Trump might order military action against Canada, report says — The Globe and Mail

In a New York Times interview, the Prime Minister characterized a potential U.S. invasion as a remote possibility

apple.news

Asymmetric gorilla warfare? Canada does not have the number of military personnel or the sophisticated equipment needed to fend off a conventional American attack, they said. So, the military envisions unconventional warfare in which small groups of irregular military or armed civilians would resort to ambushes, sabotage, drone warfare or hit-and-run tactics.

(YouTube & Canadian Bacon Official Trailer #1 - Rip Torn Movie (1995) HD)

Be afraid be very afraid . Ridiculous.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Be afraid be very afraid . Ridiculous.

John Candy was a big guy, but not overly scary, but to each their own. Now John Lithgow….another big guy, he could play a scary villain!!

 

[55Mercury]

Peeps need to start scuttling the infrastructure that's facilitating chemtrail deployment, 5-6&7G towers and data centers, from the companies producing the materials right down to the last delivery ship truck and aircraft.
They've already begun the war know one voted for against we the people and it's well past time the people responded in no uncertain terms.
Just saying
#yearofthelonewolf

 

[Dixie Cup]

Be afraid be very afraid . Ridiculous.

I'm beginning to think Carney is insane or delusional or both!! What a moron!!

 

[Ron in Regina]

The Liberal government has taken another step forward in talks with the Swedish defence company Saab as it considers acquiring its advanced radar planes for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ottawa says it agreed on a non-binding term sheet with Saab that will support more detailed negotiations on a fleet of GlobalEye aircraft.

Ottawa takes next step in negotiations on possible GlobalEye purchase from Saab — The Canadian Press

The Liberal government has taken another step forward in talks with the Swedish

apple.news

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced at a defence expo this spring that Canada had selected Saab as a preferred supplier for airborne early warning and control planes, though that does not commit Ottawa to purchasing the platform.

The federal Conservatives have written to the auditor general and parliamentary budget officer calling on them to investigate whether the government followed all the proper processes in selecting the platform.

Carney's government still has not made a decision on its planned acquisition of 88 F-35 stealth fighter jets. That review, which was launched in response to diplomatic and trade tensions with the Trump administration, was supposed to have concluded a year ago.


Canada signed on in 2023 to buy 88 of the jets, but Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review in March 2025 amid tensions with the United States. The first 16 aircraft are committed, while the government weighs whether to buy the remaining 72 or turn to alternatives such as Sweden’s Saab Gripen.

The Saab JAS 39 Gripen E beats the Lockheed Martin F-35 in raw speed, operating costs, and decentralized field flexibility, while the F-35 dominates in stealth technology and sensor integration.

• Speed: The Gripen E reaches Mach 2, which is faster than the F-35 top speed of Mach 1.6.
• Cost: Flying the Gripen E costs about $5,800 per hour, compared to roughly $35,000 per hour for the F-35.
• Dispersed Operations: The Gripen E can land, refuel, and rearm on short roads or highways using a small ground crew in under 20 minutes.
• Sovereignty: Operators have full national control over the Gripen's open software architecture, unlike the U.S.-controlled F-35 software.

(YouTube & They Said Sweden’s Gripen Was a Toy — Then It Humiliated the F-35)

 

[pgs]

I'm beginning to think Carney is insane or delusional or both!! What a moron!!

Certainly delusional .

 

[spaminator]

Airman dies after falling 170 feet from Alamodome rafters at football game
Details surrounding the incident are under investigation

Author of the articleenette Wilford
Published Oct 19, 2026 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
A general exterior view of the Alamodome prior to the international friendly match between Mexico and Paraguay at the Alamodome on November 18, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.
A general exterior view of the Alamodome prior to the international friendly match between Mexico and Paraguay at the Alamodome on November 18, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. Photo by Omar Vega /Getty Images

A 15-year Air Force veteran was identified as the service member killed before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s football game on Saturday.


Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson plunged 170 feet (51.8 metres) from the rafters of the Alamodome during a rappelling demonstration ahead of UTSA’s game against the U.S. Navy, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

The Georgia native was a tactical air control party instructor with the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, at Joint Base San Antonio, the Nellis Air Force Base said in a news release.

He was a decorated service member
During his time in service, he was awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, as well as the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal, each with one oak leaf cluster, according to the Air Force.

In 2022, Patterson was also named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level.

Details surrounding the incident are under investigation, Air Force officials said.

Videos shared online show the airman — one of four service members taking part in the demonstration ahead of the pregame coin toss — sliding out of control down the rope before crashing to the turf.

UTSA staff surrounded the service member as he received medical attention. He was then rushed to the hospital, where he died.


‘Did not look good’
One witness, Adrian Corey, told KSAT the place went “dead silent.”

He recalled: “Everybody was quiet, the band stopped performing. Everybody was dead silent.”

His mother, Siomara Corey, added: “There was no updates after that other than asking for prayers, but it did not look good.”

A similar stunt was performed without incident before a 2025 game at the Alamodome.

A military member rappels from the stadium rafters in a previous demonstration.
A military member rappels from the stadium rafters in a previous demonstration. (X/UTSAFTBL) Photo by @UTSAFTBL /X
‘His service mattered immensely’
US Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills, the 57th Wing’s commander, called Patterson’s death a “tragedy” that has been “felt deeply” across his entire unit.

“Tech. Sgt. Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him,” he continued.

“Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.”

Mills also thanked the community for its support.

“We are grateful to the San Antonio community and our mission partners at Joint Base San Antonio for the care, compassion and support they have shown.”




More than 23,000 fans were in attendance for the annual Salute to Armed Forces game, though this is the first time UTSA and Navy faced off in a football matchup.

UTSA defeated the visiting Navy 38-34.

After the game, UTSA coach Jeff Traylor called the accident “heartbreaking” and “tragic,” according to the outlet, noting the normally loud home field crowd was understandably much more subdued, even before the airman’s death became known.

“You could tell the energy was just gone,” he said. “It just really puts things in perspective. It really does.”

http://www.nellis.af.mil/Nellis-News/News-Releases/Display/Article/4628173/service-member-dies-following-incident-at-utsa-game

Service member dies after fall from Alamodome rafters before UTSA game

The service member died at a hospital after plunging to the ground during an Air Force rappelling demonstration before Saturday's UTSA-Navy game.

expressnews.com

Airman dies after falling 170 feet from Alamodome rafters at football game

A 15-year Air Force veteran was identified as the service member killed before the UTSA-Navy football game at the Alamodome.

torontosun.com