The Canadian government has reportedly started talks with the United States over the possible acquisition of as many as 18 F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation cited Department of National Defense data as indicating the fighters could cost Canada as much as $5.3 billion over the lifetime of the aircraft.

"The figures are only preliminary, but they are backed up by U.S. congressional budget information," CBC said.

The decision to buy 18 Super Hornets will replace F-18 Hornets flown since the 1980s.

Negotiations are expected to take about a year to complete and any proposed deal would need to be approved by the U.S. Congress.

CBC said the Canadian government is eyeing 2019 for initial aircraft deliveries.

Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems withdraw from T-X competition
Falls Church, Va. (UPI) Feb 1, 2017 - Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems will not submit a proposal for the U.S. Air Force's T-X Trainer program, the companies jointly announced.

The move is the latest withdrawal of a defense industry team from the T-X competition, and comes a week after Raytheon and Leonardo-Finmeccanica announced they will not jointly participate in the contest.

In a statement explaining their decision, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems said the team carefully examined the program's requirements.

"The companies have decided not to submit a proposal for the T-X Trainer program, as it would not be in the best interest of the companies and their shareholders," the companies said in a press release. "Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems remain fully committed to performing on current and future U.S. Air Force programs, to deliver critical capabilities to America's airmen."

The T-X program is an effort by the U.S. Air Force to replace its current fleet of Northrop T-38 Talon jet trainers. The branch is seeking a fast two-seat aircraft to serve in this role.

Northrop Grumman, which developed the T-38, and its partner BAE Systems initially proposed an updated version of the Hawk T2/128 for the program.

The team's withdrawal from the competition leaves a partnership between Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace Industries and a partnership between Boeing and Saab still in the running.