OTTAWA – The head of the Royal Canadian Air Force says all 77 of Canada’s CF-18 fighter jets will be able to fly until 2025, and even later.
Lt.-Gen. Michael Hood also says Canada’s allies are developing ways to upgrade the aging aircraft to reduce the risks and costs if they are needed for even longer periods of time.
The comments are contained in documents filed with the House of Commons defence committee this week as the Liberal government prepares to negotiate the purchase of 18 new Super Hornet fighter jets.
READ MORE: Liberals force over 200 federal workers to sign lifetime secrecy agreement over fighter jet plans
The government says it needs the Hornets to address an urgent shortage of warplanes until a competition to replace all 77 of Canada’s CF-18s can be finished – a process it says could take up to five years.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan’s office says Hood’s comments don’t address the fact many of the aging CF-18s are out of service on any given day because of maintenance issues.
But others say the general’s comments are a clear indication he is comfortable with the state of Canada’s CF-18 fleet, and that buying the Hornets before a competition is unnecessary and politically motivated.
READ MORE: Ottawa might be buying 18 Super Hornets; price tag could exceed $1.1B
Hood will testify before the Senate defence committee on Monday, his first public appearance since the Liberals announced their plan to buy Hornets earlier this week.
- ‘Summer of discontent’ coming over public service in-office order: unions
- After Indigenous criticism, Legault defends new museum on Québécois nation
- Minister Boissonnault to testify before ethics committee over ties to lobbyist, PPE company
- Jewish students say they don’t feel safe from antisemitism on campus
Comments