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.

  • Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works
    41·
    2 days ago

    Also the idea that there is no possible way to sabotage these planes via technology is comical.

    Now this is a classic example of making a completely different claim than the person you’re responding to, then countering that, and acting as if this means you’ve countered any of their claims. Peak bad faith argument. Well done.

    • chloroken@lemmy.mlEnglish
      31·
      20 hours ago

      I like how someone else entirely calls out how mistaken you are. Didn’t even need to do it myself.

      Well done.

    • patatas@sh.itjust.works
      31·
      2 days ago

      If you sub out the part you object to with an exact quote of your post

      “There is absolutely zero practical way to hide a killswitch in the F-35”

      their comment still makes sense, particularly because they specify firmware and silicon.