Given Canada’s geography, our military budgets and our geopolitical position, Canada has but one real choice in the new fighter procurement decision.
The Gripen fighter is built by a northern country for the realities of a northern climate. The Gripen is cheaper to buy ( Gripen 45 million (USD), F35 – 77.9 – 82 million (USD)) The Gripen is cheaper to fly ( Griped 7,800 dollars per hour, F35 43,200 dollars per hour) https://aviatia.net/
Gripen is built by Sweden, a country very similar to Canada in GDP terms. (GTP per capita – Sweden ($52, 129), Canada (43,295)). countryeconomy.com Only Canada’s government thinks that we are a Global player in the world. In reality we are a second-string player.
There can be only two reasons why our government would purchase the other contender, the Lockheed Martin F35. Significant arm twisting and political pressure from the US and a US bias in our air force. Remember that nearly all of our senior air force staff have been assigned at one time or another to US commanded postings. Here they are under US command and obey US orders. This environment cannot but lead to an inherent desire to do what those same commanding officers suggest. Independent thinking is not a trait that the military is known for.
The F35 isn’t even all that well thought of by the Americans.
Canada can make an independent, cost effective, purchase decision, and end up with 88 or more effective, high-tech, high-quality jet fighters, made in Canada, by Canadians. With the capability for future upgrades developed in Canada. It is truly a no-brainer. The Gripen fighter is by far the best deal for Canada.
BUT WHY HAVEN’T WE ALREADY BOUGHT THEM
The Trudeau government isn’t really interested in buying any new fighter jets. They would much prefer to spend the money on some social program that will buy them votes. They are good at promoting competitions that keep bureaucrats employed for years. They make public statements. ‘Six years ago, Justin Trudeau promised to find the Royal Canadian Air Force a more affordable fighter jet than Lockheed Martin’s F-35. And then they promptly put the whole idea on the back burner.
THE REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR CANADA
If Canada had a federal government committed to doing there job. They might see the real opportunity here. It starts with Canada buying 88 Gripen fighters, then developing a true defence strategy. First by buying 100 additional Gripen jets. For the proposed purchase cost of 88 F35 jets Canada can buy 160 Gripen jets. The total purchase then would only add 20 additional aircraft. All built by Canadians in well paying jobs. With the additional aircraft Canada could place one additional squadron in North Bay, Ontario and one in Goose Bay Labrador at current bases and two squadrons each at Churchill, Manitoba, and Whitehorse, Yukon, at new bases. One additional squadron would be placed at Prince Rupert, BC, also at a new base
With the additional coverage of Canadian airspace Canada could leave NORAD. NORAD is already redundant in the US. Canada would have to make significant changes and additions to its input to convince the US to maintain it. The US military have already determined that other capabilities have left NORAD with no purpose. and protect Canada independently. The fighter coverage plus Canadian satellite coverage would give Canada sovereignty over our nation.
In SHORT
Canada can spend a huge amount of money buying American high-tech equipment, plus continue to pay into NORAD, plus invest more money into NORAD which is at the very least seeing its real value deteriorating and does NOT protect Canada OR, Canada can start to develop a real Canada defence strategy that takes control of our own sovereignty. Canadian aircraft taking control of Canadian skies.
‘NOTES FROM THE NORTH‘
