Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Feds mum on next step in fighter jet competition

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Mar, 2022 03:29 PM
  • Feds mum on next step in fighter jet competition

OTTAWA - Federal procurement officials won’t say when Canada will take the next step in the years-long process of selecting a new fighter jet.

The federal government announced in December that it had narrowed its search for a replacement of the military’s aging CF-18s to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and the Swedish Saab Gripen.

The government said at that time a decision would be made in short order on whether the government would engage in another round of negotiations with the two companies, or select a winner outright.

Yet nearly four months later, no announcement has been forthcoming, leading to concerns about even further delays in replacing Canada’s CF-18s at a time when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has underscored the importance of modern military capabilities.

Public Services and Procurement Canada assistant deputy minister Simon Page said Tuesday the process is “very active, very live” as he was grilled by a parliamentary committee over the lack of a decision.

Yet while Page and other federal officials expressed optimism that a contract with the winning bidder will be signed by the end of the year, they declined to provide any details on the reasons for the delay or when a decision on the next step could come.

“Answering the question would have us lean one way over the other,” Page told members of the House of Commons government operations committee. “And I just don't want to answer that at this time, to protect the integrity of the process.”

It also wasn’t immediately clear who will ultimately decide whether to move ahead with another round of negotiations with Lockheed Martin and Saab, or the selection of a final winner.

Conservative committee member Kelly McCauley expressed concern about the lack of clarity around what is happening with the fighter procurement, particularly given the numerous delays that have dragged the search for a new fighter out over a decade.

The federal government is planning to buy 88 new fighter jets at an estimated cost of up to $19 billion, with delivery of the first plane expected no earlier than 2025. The final aircraft was supposed to be delivered in 2032, but that has since moved to 2033.

The Boeing Super Hornet was also in the running, but was kicked out of the competition in December.

The successful selection of a new fighter jet this year would mark the culmination of more than a decade of stop-start efforts marked by mismanagement and political controversy under two successive federal governments.

MORE National ARTICLES

Fed study details groups hit hardest by tax system

Fed study details groups hit hardest by tax system
Women were more likely than men to lose out on 60 per cent or more of their extra earnings, which the recently released analysis chalks up to their slightly greater reliance on federal supports.

Fed study details groups hit hardest by tax system

Canadian professor in Ukraine longs for peace

Canadian professor in Ukraine longs for peace
The sirens can go on for 15 minutes, or as long as two hours. One Saturday-night alarm lasted three hours. The sirens go off two or three times a day, but so far, the city has been spared any bombings.

Canadian professor in Ukraine longs for peace

Clocks jump ahead in most of Canada on Sunday

Clocks jump ahead in most of Canada on Sunday
Only Yukon and most of Saskatchewan observe permanent daylight time and won't change their clocks with the rest of Canada early Sunday. B.C. outlined a plan to switch permanently in 2019, but the legislation did not set a date because the province is waiting for Washington, Oregon and California to also approve the change.

Clocks jump ahead in most of Canada on Sunday

Hospital director can allow Schoenborn leave

Hospital director can allow Schoenborn leave
AllanSchoenborn has been held at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam since 2010 after killing his 10-year-old daughter and two sons, aged five and eight.

Hospital director can allow Schoenborn leave

B.C. man knocked unconscious by thrown egg: RCMP

B.C. man knocked unconscious by thrown egg: RCMP
Police say in a news release that the man was standing with two friends on the street when the egg was thrown from a side passenger window of a small dark-coloured vehicle

B.C. man knocked unconscious by thrown egg: RCMP

B.C. preparing for Ukrainian refugees: Horgan

B.C. preparing for Ukrainian refugees: Horgan
Horgan said Friday he met with Ukrainian community leaders and spoke earlier with refugee settlement agencies and some faith groups about plans to meet the housing, health and transition needs of those fleeing the war.

B.C. preparing for Ukrainian refugees: Horgan