Canada Preparing to Replace its CF-18 Hornets
Related Stories: Americas - Other, BAE, Boeing, Fighters & Attack, Force Structure, Issues - Political, Lobbying, Lockheed Martin, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement
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Canada originally bought 128 “CF-18s” from 1982-1988, but accidents and retirements have reduced the fleet to about 103, with only 80 upgraded F/A-18A/B aircraft operational. The Hornets are expected to be phased out between 2017 – 2020.
Canada has been an active Tier 3 partner in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, participating in both the Concept Demonstration Phase ($10 million) and the System Development and Demonstration Phase ($150 million). This USD $160 million has included funding from both the Department of National Defence, and from Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC). In the Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development Phase of the F-35 program, it is estimated that Canada’s contribution will exceed C$ 500 million (currently about $435 million) over 44 years. On the other hand, the F-35 isn’t Canada’s official choice to replace its Hornets – yet.
The latest development is preparation of a brief to Cabinet that will reportedly request a sole-source, multi-billion dollar buy of up to 65 F-35s…
Contracts and Key Events
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Multi-billion single-source buys have been a problem with numerous other Canadian procurements over the last 5-7 years, following the 20+ year fiasco of its Maritime Helicopter Program competition. A fighter replacement project is part of the current government’s 20-year plan for the Canadian Forces, but critics cite the shift toward UAVs, significant cost uncertainties for the F-35, and the availability of cheaper aircraft on the global market as reasons to avoid a sole-source purchase.
Oct 8/09: Canada’s Ottawa Citizen newspaper reports that Boeing has stepped up its lobbying to create a competition:
“Some DND officials are concerned that a competition would drag on for too long and because of that Canada would not have new fighter aircraft in place when the current fleet of CF-18s is ready to be retired starting in 2017.
But representatives with U.S. aerospace firm Boeing are arguing that it makes more sense to hold a competition and let the best aircraft win. It has been involved in meetings with defence officials.
In addition, Canadian industry representatives who support Boeing have approached government officials to question the idea of a sole-source deal.”
Aug 22/09: Canada’s Ottawa Citizen newspaper reports that the government is preparing a presentation to cabinet for approval of a sole-source, multibillion deal to to buy 65 F-35s, even though military leaders had earlier claimed that a competitive process would be followed in any replacement of Canada’s F/A-18A/B Hornets.
The Ottawa Citizen cites Lockheed Martin officials who say they expect Canada to make its decision over the next 12 months. Canada is currently a JSF Tier 3 member, who has committed $150 million to the proect thus far. Meanwhile, officials from Boeing (F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet) and Gripen International (JAS-39NG) are interested in competing for Canada’s follow-on order.
Dec 11/06: In a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, Canada’s Department of National Defence formalizes their continued partnership in the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program. Canada was the 2nd of 8 partner nations to sign the MoU for the Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development phase. The Department of Industry also signed MoUs with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Pratt & Whitney and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team.
The Canadian Department of National Defense had this to say regarding the F-35’s status as the follow-on to its current CF-18 (F/A-18A) fighter fleet:
“While participation in this next phase does not commit the Department to purchasing the multi-role aircraft, it is helping to define and evaluate DND’s future requirements for the next generation of fighter aircraft to replace the CF-18 and its capabilities. It is also contributing to improved interoperability between Canadian, American and allied forces and is enhancing the competitiveness and technological capability of Canada’s aerospace sector.”
See: DID coverage | Pentagon DefenseLINK | Canada’s DND: release | Canada’s DND: Backgrounder
Additional Readings
- Canadian DND – CF-18 Hornet
- Wikipedia – CF-18 Hornet
- DID FOCUS – F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: 2009-2010
- DID (June 23/08) – Canada Lays Out Future Defense Plans
