"By formalizing the exit from the F-35 program, the remaining international partners will be forced to pay a higher price for each plane." This was stated by the head of the Joint Program Office, General Chris Bogdan, commenting on the decision of the new Canadian premier to withdraw from the Joint Strike fighter program.
"Canada's exit will increase by one million dollars in the final price of each plane. The estimated price increase is 0,7% for all partner countries. The development program, which will end in 2017, will not be delayed, however international partners will also be forced to absorb Canada's share (2,1%) for maintenance and modernization costs ".
With the victory of the Liberals in Canada, the government is preparing to bid farewell to the F-35, a fighter previously chosen to replace the F-18. The neo-premier and leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, during his last public appearances was clear: "if we win the election, we will give up the F-35 and opt for a less expensive platform. The funds saved will be redirected to shipbuilding ”. And as the F-35 is a delicate subject for liberals, the 88 electoral program pages that at JSF dedicates a few pages demonstrates this: "We need a fighter that can defend North America, not a low observability platform "With the money saved, we will strengthen the Royal Canadian Navy which is in dire need of new boats."
For years, the Canadian government has been looking for a platform that can replace CF-18 fighters. The only certain data is that, now, Canadians will start searching for one or more different platforms. To ensure a safe and effective transition to the new weapon system, Canada has extended the operational life of the entire CF-18 fleet to the 2025.
Canada was interested in the A-version of the F-35 which currently costs 108 million dollars. The F-35 was one of the biggest political concerns for the conservative government. The liberal government had originally signed up for the JSF's research and development program, but conservatives have significantly expanded Canada's role and committed the government to buying the plane in advance. But to address the disputes over the real cost of the F-35, the government tried to hide the true final price of the aircraft. The Canadian National Defense Department originally claimed that the JSF program would have cost 14,7 billion dollars altogether. Digit then denied. The estimate for the adoption of the F-35 platform (for 65 fighter), was 29 billion dollars.
In addition to the aerial platform, the Royal Canadian Navy has an extreme need for new ships. In the last year, the Royal Canadian Navy withdrew from service two supply and supply ships, and two destroyers.
Just to give an example. Italy, partner country of the JSF program, will have to shell out 100 million euros more in acquisition costs alone (one million more to hunt, estimate down), without considering that 2,1% in maintenance and modernization costs no more charged to the Canadian government, but which will have to be covered. A treat worth hundreds of millions of euros.
(photo: presidency of the republic / Lockheed Martin - video: last meeting of the Supreme Defense Council)
