The story of two fighter jets — and what they mean for Canadian air defense in this world

This Year, Canadians ill have a better idea of ​​what fighter jets the Liberal government intends to buy for the country's air force.

Gripen, a Swedish fighter aircraft, performs on the second day of Aero India 2017 at Yelahanka air base in Bangalore, India, in February 2017. Saab, based in Stockholm, offered the latest version of the aircraft as part of its pitch to sell Canada a new fleet of fighter jets. (The Associated Press)

Ottawa could decide this year on aircraft to replace country's aging CF-18s

The decision comes down to a more than simple choice between two new expensive aircraft: the American F-35 and the Swedish Gripen-E. It is expected to say a lot about how the federal government views Canada's position in the world - whether it is still tied to the politically shaky United States or Europe, which is determined to emerge from the shadow of Washington.

On December 1, Canada formally reduced its bidding to two manufacturers, with the exception of Boeing. The US government has told the US space giant that its offer of a $ 19 billion plan to replace US CF-18s does not meet Ottawa's requirements.

This year, the federal government is expected to either pick a winner and sign the deal, or help the two remaining companies - Lockheed Martin in the US and Saab with headquarters in Stockholm - improve their bids.

This year's decision "will be a fork in the road," said a defense and military expert.

The F-35 is manufactured by U.S.-based Lockheed Martin, one of two remaining companies bidding in the federal government's $19-billion program to replace Canada's CF-18 fighter jets.

"If we buy the F-35, it will be more difficult to adapt to the US military alliance that we have been a part of for decades, but the purchase of this particular aircraft will increase our relationship a few steps in two years. in many ways, "said David Perry, a senior analyst and vice president of the Canadian Institute for Global Affairs, based in Ottawa.

If a Swedish aircraft is chosen, it will be the first time in almost half a century that Canadians have flown other than a US military aircraft.

Ottawa rejects Boeing's offer to replace Canada's older fighter jet fleet

Traveling to Europe to buy the next fighter jet would mean going beyond decades of US cooperation, especially when it comes to continental defense, which could affect bilateral relations between Canada and the United States, Perry said.

"I do not think the US government will be pleased to see that this is the first time since Spitfire that we have operated a non-US aircraft," he said, laughing.

Decades of American-designed fighter jets 

Perry's food is close by. The Royal Canadian Air Force flew the British military aircraft Spitfire in the 1940s. The last European-designed military aircraft flown by Canada was the British fighter jet de Havilland Vampire, which was decommissioned in the late 1950s. Canadian pilots also flew the CF-100 Canuck home brew until the 1980s in a mixed fleet of many US military aircraft.

Another defense expert said that in addition to the history on the American side, modern alliances and fast-growing technology will go a long way in their favor.

"When I saw the selection reduced to the F-35 and Gripen, I actually felt that the F-35 was now a matter of course," said Stephanie von Chlatky, an assistant professor and defense expert at Queen's University in Kingston. , Ontario.

She added that Sweden was not one of Canada's longtime partners in defense, and if you look at who the military can partner with in future multinational operations, "it will be difficult to choose anything other than the F-35."

This is what Lockheed Martin has repeatedly drawn the attention of the Canadian government and called the stealth fighter the most durable fighter with the best value.

"As a cornerstone of collaboration with NORAD and NATO, the F-35 will strengthen Canada's capabilities with its allies," said Lorraine Ben, CEO of Lockheed Martin Canada, referring to the North American Air Force and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

 from different countries to communicate seamlessly with each other, as well as with ground stations and warships. The fighter also has the ability to dock with so-called fourth-generation fighters, which are considered "Gripen-E".

The benefits factor

One of the most important considerations Significant economic benefit points are allocated in requests for proposals. Since the Joint Strike Fighter program is structured, aircraft contracts are competitive and split between consortia, the F-35 proposal has a lot to offer the Canadian industry in terms of benefits and compensation.

Saab, on the other hand, is proposing that the Canadian Gripens be assembled in Canada (at the IMP Aerospace & Defense plant in Nova Scotia) and, more importantly, all intellectual property rights in their maintenance and operation become the property of the federal government. ... In itself, this is an important concession that could allow Canada to control sovereignty over fighters in a way not seen in decades.

In Canada, Stefan Nygren, head of Saab's campaign in Canada, said: "Giving Canadians the power to control capabilities in Canada is a way of giving Canada sovereign control of the system."

Perry said that after years of well-started and ongoing competition, Canada has shown its willingness to consider anything other than American fighters.

This is important because European aircraft manufacturers were deeply skeptical that their proposal would be considered by European aircraft manufacturers following the political collapse of the former Conservative government's plans to buy the F-35 alone a decade ago.

The Harper government's decision was heavily criticized by the then inspector general, the parliamentary budget official, and the liberal opposition. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged in 2015 that Canada would not buy the F-35 and would use the money saved to rebuild its fleet.