Gov confirms $9 billion purchase

We know have confirmation from the Government of Canada that 65 F-35 Lightning II aircraft will be purchased for $9 billion. That works out to about $138,461,538, or $138.46 million each.

The Government refused to comment on the reported $7-9 billion maintenance costs that have been circulating around, stating that the maintenance cost will be negotiated once the planes have been delivered.

They criticized the Liberals for criticizing them, when it was in fact the previous Liberal government that approved funding for the development of the aircraft. It is important to note however, that the Liberal government did not approve the purchase of the aircraft.

They also said that had they opened the contract up to the proper bidding process, they would have spent more time and money, and would have chosen the F-35 anyways. Something tells me the Liberals and NDP won’t be pleased by this. Expect statements from them very shortly

Updating the Navy... finally!

The Government of Canada, through Defence Minister Peter Mackay’s press conference, has announced a plan to spend $2.6 billion on 2-3 navy supply ships. The Navy currently operates 2 supply ships that were launched in 1969... I would definitely agree that it is time to update the fleet. With the $2.6 billion contract, the Government is hoping to get 3 vessels, but promising at least 2. The plan is 18 months away from completion at which point the government will accept bids from Canadian shipbuilders hoping to land the contract.

This contract is the beginning of the Canada First Defence Initiative, during which 28 large ships and over 100 smaller ships will be designed and constructed for the Canadian Forces and Coast Guard.