Super Hornet

Canada's years-long search for new fighter jets came full circle on Monday, January 9, 2023, as Defence Minister Anita Anand officially confirmed the planned purchase of a fleet of F-35s to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force's aging CF-18s.

Days after Airbus Defence and Space pulled out of the $19-billion race to replace Canada's aging fighter jets, the only European firm still eligible to compete says it has not decided whether it will.

Canada's multibillion-dollar effort to buy new fighter jets has taken another surprise turn with European aerospace giant Airbus announcing it has withdrawn from the high-stakes competition.

The federal government is planning to loosen its industrial requirements for fighter-jet makers in the $19-billion competition to replace Canada's aging CF-18s.

The Trudeau government won't buy equipment from military suppliers "responsible for harming Canada's economic interests," even when that harm was caused by unrelated business activity, ministers declared Dec. 12.

The U.S. State Department has told Congress that it doesn't have any concerns about the possible sale of 18 Super Hornet fighter jets to Canada, which it estimates will cost around US$5.23 billion.

Boeing Co. has no plans to back down in its trade dispute with Canadian rival Bombardier

The Liberal government has taken the next step towards buying 18 Super Hornet fighter jets on an interim basis, a purchase it hopes to make official by year's end.

Canada has so far forked over more than $311 million to develop the F-35 — without any guarantee it will actually buy the multibillion-dollar stealth fighter.

The government says the month-long exercise is critical for training Canadian fighter pilots to work alongside allies — and the planes will return to Canada immediately if they are needed.

The move comes after reports last month that the Liberals were considering buying Boeing Super Hornet fighter jets without a competition.

The possibility of being part of that process is murky, with the Liberal government having promised during last year’s election campaign that instead of buying the F-35's, it would have open bidding.

The report found that choosing one company to provide equipment should be a "subordinate option" to a competitive process so taxpayers receive value for money.