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.

  • how_we_burned@lemmy.zip
    2·
    2 days ago

    Now that’s a completely valid concern; being cut off from firmware updates would seriously degrade the capability of that part of our fleet over a long enough time horizon, which is one of the reasons why we’re considering taking on a large order of Gripens as well. But it’s not a “Stop your planes from flying” scenario. Even without the latest firmware we’d still be able to put an F-35 in the air and have it engage and destroy targets.

    Also if the US refused to provide firmware their f-35 fleet would eventually become completely grounded and useless as a large amount of the f-35s parts are made across the world.

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

      Well, they certainly have the ability to manufacture those parts themselves, but you’re absolutely correct that they would have to deal with a massive disruption to their existing supply chain. If they didn’t take the appropriate measures well ahead of such a drastic step it certainly would ground the fleet for quite a while, until they got domestic production sorted out.