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Email at:
[email protected]ttawa’s protracted effort to select a
replacement for its fleet of CF-
Hornets is back on track with the
release of a draft request for proposals (RFP). It
confirms there is little sign of the F-35A Lightning
II dropping out of the running following continued
government commitment to the Joint Strike
Fighter programme of which it’s a member.
The rejuvenated fighter competition will
deliver RFPs to five potential suppliers: Airbus
Defence and Space, Boeing, Dassault Aviation,
Lockheed Martin and Saab. The successful
candidate will have to ensure it makes
investments in Canada equal to the value of the
contract – an estimated CA$26bn (US$12bn).
Complicating the F-35’s case is the ruling
which prevents partner nations signing
up to regional offset programmes. In the
meantime, Canada continues to pay in to the
JSF programme to keep its foot in the door.
Back in 2009 Canada’s previous
Conservative government said it wouldbuy F-35s before the nation’s Liberal
party was elected in 2015 on a platform
that included scrapping the Lightning II
purchase and instead looking at cheaper
options and promising an “open and
transparent” competition to buy 88 new jets.
As a stopgap, the Royal Canadian
Air Force will receive 25 second-hand
F/A-18A/Bs from Australia – seven of
which will provide a source of spares.
The Liberals’ fighter competition includes
penalties for firms that fail an “economic
impact test”. The background to this move
is Boeing’s trade dispute with Bombardier,
subsequently won by the Canadian firm.
The government will now wait for feedback
from industry before launching a formal
competition, and a formal RFP, which will
require bids to be received by next May.
The framework of the competition will allow
Boeing to return to the fray and enter a
formal bid, despite the Bombardier spat.Canada expects to award a contract in
late 2021 or early 2022, with the first aircraft
delivered in 2025 and initial operational
capability to be achieved the following year.
Carla Qualtrough, minister of public services,
procurement and accessibility, said in an
October 25 statement: “As you know, our fighter
jet process is one of the largest procurements
the government has ever undertaken. And it
represents the most significant investment in the
Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years.
“Three years ago, we were at a complete
standstill with this process. Today, I
am happy to report that this ambitious
undertaking has found real momentum.”O
Search for Canada’s new fighter back on
Subscribe to http://www.airforcesmonthly.com
for breaking news stories. E-mail the news
team at [email protected]Technicians from the RCAF’s 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron marshal a CF-188 Hornet
as it arrives at Bodø, Norway on October 19, in preparation for Exercise Trident
Juncture 2018. The first ex-Australian Hornets are due to arrive in Canada next year.
Corporal Bryan Carter/4 Wing ImagingComment
http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #369 DECEMBER 2018 // 3