Canada confirmed Monday the purchase of 88 US F-35 fighter jets to replace its aging fleet for 19 billion Canadian dollars (US$14.2 billion), the largest investment in 30 years.

The order was announced last March by Ottawa.

"As our world grows darker, with Russia's illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, and China's increasingly assertive behavior in the Indo Pacific, this project has taken on heightened significance," Defense Minister Anita Anand said.

"This is the moment that we need to ensure the defense of our country... including our Arctic," she said.

The agreement with Washington and US companies Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney calls for the first aircraft to be delivered in 2026 and the entire fleet between 2032 and 2034.

Other countries, including Germany and Switzerland, have signed contracts in recent months for the F-35, which is considered to be the most capable fighter aircraft available today.

Canada has often purchased US military equipment in the past to ensure interoperability with its NATO allies and NORAD, the North American defense organization.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had pledged when he came to power in 2015 not to buy the F-35 due to its high cost.

"Canada is confident that the F-35 represents the best fighter jet for our country at the best price for Canadians," Anand said Monday.

ast/tjj/ec

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES

LOCKHEED MARTIN

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Southwest Airlines expects Q4 loss after storm chaos
New York (AFP) Jan 6, 2023
Southwest Airlines said Friday it expects a fourth-quarter loss following last month's system breakdown that led to thousands of flight cancelations during the peak holiday travel season. The domestic-focused US carrier will incur one-time costs of between $725 million and $825 million because of the debacle, resulting in a net loss for the final quarter of 2022, Southwest said in a securities filing. That figure includes a revenue loss of $400 to $425 million from canceled flights, with the rem ... read more