Ottawa has started to make payments for key components for 14 additional U.S.-built F-35s, even as the Carney government has been reviewing future fighter-jet purchases in the context of trade tensions with Washington, sources have told CBC News.

The money for these 14 aircraft is in addition to the contract for a first order of 16 F-35s, which will start being delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces at the end of the year.

According to sources, the new expenses are related to the purchase of so-called “long-lead items,” which are parts that must be ordered well in advance of the delivery of a fully assembled aircraft.

Canada had to make these expenditures to maintain its place in the long-term delivery schedule and avoid being replaced by other buyers in the queue, sources said.

  • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca
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    2 days ago

    There is no remote kill switch, that’s a Reddit myth. You don’t need a remote kill switch when you have 5500 fighter jets.

    • bearboiblake@pawb.social
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      2 days ago

      You can’t say for sure that there isn’t one, because you don’t have the source code for the firmware. So, yes, there may well be a remote kill switch for all you (or anyone) knows. Seems like you’re very determined to say there isn’t one for some reason, why is that?

      You don’t need a remote kill switch when you have 5500 fighter jets.

      Imagine you could either go to someone’s house to shoot them with a gun, or you could just press a button to make that same person fall unconscious for you to deal with at your leisure. Which would you rather do? Obviously the gun works, but the kill switch is easier, less risk, less costs, you don’t need to launch, fuel, arm and pilot 5,500 fighter jets to do it, just a few taps on a keyboard.

      • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca
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        2 days ago

        JFC buddy…all they have to do is not send parts.

        People who justfy CAF spending are delusional and don’t know what a billion dollars even looks like.

        • bearboiblake@pawb.social
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          2 days ago

          Yes, it’s true that the US also has a stranglehold over the F35 in other ways beyond just the very likely killswitch.