CF-18 Hornet replacement update (sort of)/2010 air show Hornet

There doesn't seem to be any real news in this front page, top of the fold, Ottawa Citizen story. Moreover $9 billion all-in doesn't seem all that high for 65 modern fighters if one considers we are spending $3.1 billion [see 2680 here] for 28 maritime helicopters. And note this from a Citizen blog, Jan. 4:

START PROCESS TO REPLACE CF-18 FIGHTERS SAYS ASSOCIATION BUT HARPER GOVERNMENT HAS OTHER PRIORITIES
...
DND sources tell Defence Watch that the Harper government, currently dealing with finding ways to deal with a $55 billion deficit, is not looking at moving quickly on a defence procurement program that could cost as much as $10 billion over the long-term...

Back to the story:

Replacing Canadian fighter jets to cost $9B
Critics [check the go-to-guy] charge tab kept quiet [hardly, remember the $10 billion figure mentioned above, and see below too] over fear of taxpayer backlash

Replacing Canada's CF-18s with a new generation of fighter aircraft will cost taxpayers around $9 billion, one of the most expensive military equipment purchases ever, the Citizen has learned [the paper already knew a month ago, see below].

The Conservative government confirmed in 2008 its plans to purchase 65 fighter aircraft [see here] and is expected to approve the project some time this year [emphasis added, in this budget climate?], air force officials say.

The Defence Department would not provide a cost estimate, claiming that to make the figure public would undercut the procurement process for what is being called the next generation fighter. "To date, no decision has been made by the government of Canada on the choice of a next-generation fighter aircraft or on the procurement approach," added DND spokeswoman Jocelyn Sweet.

But in April, Col. Randy Meiklejohn of the directorate of aerospace requirements told a gathering of defence industry representatives in Ottawa that the cost of the program would be about $9 billion [so what's new today?]. The air force, he pointed out, plans to have the new aircraft in service starting in 2017. The figure he used would include not only the 65 aircraft, but spare parts and long-term support.

A number of different fighter aircraft could be considered as a replacement for the CF-18s, but the military has been partial to the U.S.-built Joint Strike Fighter [F-35].

The Defence Department's claim that it cannot release any figures associated with a new aircraft purchase until the project is approved by government appears to contradict its previous position. DND documents obtained through the Access to Information law previously estimated the full cost to replace at least 80 CF-18 fighter aircraft would be $10.5 billion.

Steve Staples, president of the Ottawa-based Rideau Institute [more here], said DND didn't want to provide the $9 billion figure because it's worried about a backlash from taxpayers.

"Their plan is to keep this in the backrooms and try to get this deal signed without anyone noticing," said Staples, who has spoken out against what he says are high levels of military spending. "The government wants to spend $9 billion on a stealth fighter when this country has a $50 billion deficit. They should try spending a little more on health care instead."

Staples noted that the cost of the project is creeping up without explanation; at one point the government was going to spend $10.5 billion on 80 fighters; now it is $9 billion for 65. "Who knows what this will end up costing Canadians?" he said [actually not a bad question, St. Steve; it's all about escalating fighter costs generally, and especially for the F-35--now over $100 million each, more here, causing problems for the Dutch government]...

On Thursday in the Commons, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said a new generation fighter would not only contribute to making sure the military has the right equipment, but would also provide opportunities for domestic aerospace companies. "There is eye-watering technology now available, and a fifth-generation fighter aircraft will be brought to Canada after the year 2017," he added.

But MacKay also appeared to contradict the Defence Department's claim that no decision had been made on how the procurement program for the new fighter aircraft will be handled, when he said there would be an open competition. MacKay went on to suggest the decision would be between the Joint Strike Fighter and another aircraft he didn't name [lots more here, with info on possible competitors--another one?]...

One does hope there will in fact be a real competition and that prospects for Canadian industrial participation in the F-35 program have not queered the pitch politically--and we know the Air Force does want the F-35 quite badly.

But if Mr MacKay intends on a real competition for a "fifth-generation fighter aircraft" the only real alternative to the F-35--now that the F-22 is going out of production--would be Russia's new T-50. I guess the MND is just not up on his fighters.

And as I have written:

...
Whether we need fighters with full capabilities for airspace patrol/interception, air-to-air combat, and precise ground attack is another good question since the government has been unwilling even to use our CF-18s to support troops in Afstan...

Keep in mind that the F-35's primary role is as a bomb truck; there's a reason it's called Joint Strike Fighter.

Meanwhile, one current fighter, several photos at link:

Canadian Forces Demo Hornet launches its 2010 show season

Friday, May 28, 2010

The Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet national demonstration jet will be dazzling audiences across North America as it launches its 2010 air show season starting this weekend at the Jones Beach Air Show in New York.

Captain Brian Bews of 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron based at 3 Wing, Bagotville, Quebec, is this year’s demonstration pilot. “I am incredibly excited to be chosen as this year’s demo pilot,” he said. “It’s a pretty small group that gets to fly Hornets and a significantly smaller group that is chosen to be demo pilots. It’s a huge honour to represent Canada for 2010.”

In tribute to the Canadian Navy, the Air Force will adopt the Canadian Navy Centennial (CNC) as it’s theme for the 2010 air show season. “We are looking forward to celebrating the Navy's Centennial,” said Major-General Yvan Blondin, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division in Winnipeg. “It is a proud moment for every Canadian.”

The demonstration jet’s tails have been specially painted to mark this important milestone. Featuring classic Canadian Air Force and Navy motifs and a striking paint design, the CNC theme is featured on both tails, rendered in freehand airbrush and paint gun murals in subdued blues. The tri-colour Royal Canadian Navy Roundel from the 1950s is featured on the fuselage [see Update here for the RCN's "Grey Ghosts" aerobatics team with McDonnell Banshees]...

A CF-18 Hornet from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3 Wing Bagotville, Que., displays its unique tail painting marking the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy, painted by technicians at 3 Air Maintenance Squadron. Credit: DND.

The Demo Hornet’s 2010 show schedule, as well as spectacular photos of the CNC Hornet, can be found at: http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/cf18/index-eng.asp

For more information on the Canadian Naval Centennial, please visit: www.canadiannavy100.forces.gc.ca

Predate: Then there was the "Century (a different one) Hornet" last year.