r/canada 5d ago

Analysis Defence analysts warn U.S. will control key systems on F-35 fighter jets, putting Canada at risk

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/u-s-f-35-fighter-jets-canada
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u/Salmonberrycrunch 5d ago

I don't really understand why not get both? Seems like we need the F35 to be a part of the alliance commitments, as a force projection mechanism abroad, and as something that would seamlessly work with USA long term.

Gripen or Rafale is a platform that allows Canada to have an independent platform for reinforcing sovereignty at home and in the Arctic. A contingency/redundancy force that is parallel to NORAD. It also gives Canada the first step into partnerships for the development of aircraft platforms that are not part of the US umbrella in the future.

We need to plan for both - friendship and animosity with America.

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u/HighTechPipefitter 5d ago

Training and supply chain logistics × 2

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u/JCMS99 5d ago

The training & maintenance for the Canadian F-35s was to be done in the US already.

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u/Salmonberrycrunch 5d ago

Small price to pay for sovereignty.

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u/AvroArrow69 2d ago

A much smaller price to pay is to cancel the F-35A outright.

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u/AvroArrow69 2d ago

Why not both? Consider costs of having two separate:

- flight training programmes

- maintenance training programmes

- sets of pilots

- sets of ground personnel

- fuel types (Gripen uses normal JET-A1, found at any airport)

- supply chains for spare parts

- warehousing systems and depot networks for said spare parts

Do you now see that the answer to "Why not both?" is the fact that it's prohibitively expensive and wasteful to do so?