Discussions continue behind the scenes over purchase of Canada’s fighter jet fleet.
By: Daniel Leblanc, Daniel Thibeault ·
The federal industry minister is putting pressure on U.S.-based Lockheed Martin to provide more economic benefits in Canada if the government is to proceed with its planned purchase of 88 F-35 fighter jets.
Otherwise, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said in a French-language interview on Radio-Canada’s Les coulisses du pouvoir, Ottawa could move forward with a smaller fleet of F-35s and the acquisition of a second fleet of Gripen-E fighter jets manufactured by Sweden’s Saab. That company has offered to assemble Gripens in Canada.
Joly made the comments as Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is still mulling the fate of the $27.7-billion fighter jet contract.
The minister said she sees two possible avenues for the F-35 review, which began in March, shortly after Carney took office and amid a tariff war between the U.S. and Canada. She said Ottawa could secure additional economic benefits from Lockheed Martin in exchange for maintaining the full contract.
Joly said the government could otherwise procure a reduced number of F-35s.
Canada has a contractual commitment to purchase at least 16 of the planned 88 Lockheed Martin jets. “It will be up to the prime minister to decide. But in the meantime, it is certainly my goal to be able to get more out of the F-35 contract from Lockheed Martin, and to continue discussions with Saab,” Joly said. Acquiring a mixed fleet could prove more difficult for the Canadian Armed Forces to manage, but Joly said she isn’t worried about it, especially if additional benefits are forthcoming.
“All G7 countries have a mixed fleet,” she said. As Canada prepares to substantially increase its defence spending, Joly outlined three priorities: increasing the country’s military capabilities, strengthening geopolitical alliances through new partnerships and creating jobs in the Canadian military-industrial complex.
“You can be sure that at the decision-making table, the cabinet table, that’s what concerns me: ensuring that Canadian taxpayers’ money can be used wisely to reduce our dependence on the United States and also create jobs in Canada,” said Joly…
Sources: cbc.ca/news/politics
