Ramona Adams
Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan has said it could take Canada five years to complete an open competition to replace the country’s fleet of CF-18 Hornets, The Hill Times reported Thursday.
Sajjan told the publication the procurement process would begin once Canada issues its new defense policy in early 2017, according to the report by Tim Naumetz.
“If we can move it faster, we can, but I want to make sure that with the timeline that was there, we’re not going to cut any corners,” Sajjan added.
Canada announced plans to buy 18 Boeing-built F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft from the U.S. government in November to temporarily replace its current fleet of CF-18 fighter jets.
The defense minister said Canada participates in the F-35 joint strike fighter program to open opportunities for Canadian companies and the involvement does not signify that the country will buy the Lockheed Martin-built aircraft, Naumetz reported.
