Supporters of Canada’s F-35 purchase point to the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of contracts that Canadian companies have earned by supplying parts for the U.S. aircraft. That, in turn, has sustained or created Canadian aerospace jobs. But on Feb. 28, the National Post reported that Trump has told Lockheed Martin he wants those jobs back in the U.S. when the Canadian contracts come up for renewal.
During the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau vowed his government would never purchase the F-35.
As prime minister, Trudeau continued to point out the Canadian military had no need for the F-35 and he blamed the Conservatives for agreeing to purchase a problem-plagued fighter jet. But, with the 2023 announcement, the Liberals not only committed to the acquisition, but also increased the number of jets to be bought to 88 from the 65 the Conservatives had wanted.
It was a serious finalist, and that’s even more impressive when you considered that our airforce went into the bid already knowing they wanted the F-35.
They kept the bid’s website up, and IIRC basically said “we’re around if you change your mind”.
I remember someone saying that countries don’t have friends, only interests
Charles de Gaulle. He was full of shit on that one, though. Countries have domestic politics.
I would love if they actually did follow through and go with the Saab. I don’t know how difficult it would be to get out of the contract (probably impossible at this point), but I just feel we need to start relying on other countries for comparable products, including military hardware.
I didn’t know it was Charles De Gaulle who said that line, I remember the first time I heard that was from a Youtuber called ‘Beau of the Fifth Column’. I wasn’t aware he may have been quoting him.
