via Ottwa Citizen.
Usually such funds would have come from the Department of National Defence and been administered by its procurement staff. But that process has changed, according to Royal Canadian Air Force commander Lt.-Gen. Yvan Blondin.Too fucking funny.
“The RCAF will now be responsible for the National Procurement financial obligations detailed in the Joint Strike Fighter program – amounting to $22.5M(million) for FY 2014/15 – and has no ability to absorb this amount,” Blondin wrote in his 2014 business plan, which was leaked to the Citizen.
Blondin warned if he didn’t get the money then RCAF operations would be hindered.
That set off a series of intense negotiations within National Defence headquarters, with budget officials heeding Blondin’s warning and providing him with the money.
“Payment into the program has had no impact on the RCAF’s readiness level or operational capabilities,” DND spokesman Dan Blouin stated in an email to the Citizen.
He noted the air force now has responsibility for such future costs, a change from previous years.
They're complaining about 23 million dollars when that won't even buy one airplane? What happens when they finally saddle up and actually start buying? This is turning into a dark comedy.
Its obvious why the RCAF wants to commit to the JSF. They know the Canadian government will have no choice but to jack up their operating budget. They know 65 aircraft won't be enough (80 CF-18s just barely cut it as it is).
ReplyDeleteCanada's military is struggling for cash, and the Navy's got a wishlist as long as your arm. The RCAF wants to secure its piece of the pie. No better way to do that but to get a secure commitment to the most expensive thing out there.
It seems to smell of inter departmental budget bickering between the AF and Navy.
DeleteWith this JSF/No JSF debate in Canada, many forget that the RCN needs 10's of billions to replace the aging Halifax class frigates, Iroquois class destroyers and supply ships. Then there are those "iffy" submarines and the whole ice breaker program.
On a whole one might argue that the navy has a much larger and diverse $$ requirement than the air force does for fighters, which is why the RCAF needs to get realistic and drop the F-35. If anything it would only ever be able to truly operate (all CDN Mil $$ considered) one specialized F-35 squadron which might mirror much of what the F-117 once did.
Off topic: nice photo.
ReplyDeletecanada's military struggling for cash ? nonsense... if Canada can send C17s to help ukraine's illegal coup goverments and send fighters to help ISIS , they certainly can afford F35s without ruining their operational budget..
ReplyDeletei've tried to be patient with so many of the anti-US, western comments.
Deletethat patience is wearing thin.
there are plenty of blogs for you to spew your hatred of all things US, western etc...
go there and have a ball. but spare me the bullshit or get sferrin'ed. if you don't know what that means it means that every comment you ever make, no matter how reasonable will get trashed. 'nuff said.
i dont know where the canada get all there money they want to buy f35 but also
ReplyDeleteCanada want to buy the Mistral-class military assault ships!
The deal is worth $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion (different figures are out there) to the French. The Russians are interested in three of the ships. The French haven’t proceeded yet with the sale to Russia because of the situation in Ukraine.
http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/11/06/canada-emerges-as-potential-buyer-of-french-built-mistral-class-warships/
With russian bear rampaging in Ukraine, monetary value of F-35 suddenly becomes irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteNow its all about combat readiness(i hope it wil be achieved within months, thx to russian bear), and mass production capabilities.
NATO satellites need fighter planes superior to anything Russia can throw on them, and a lot of them. NOW.