Canadian Military order for Super Hornet Jets

Boeing’s ageing Super Hornet Fighter Jet is getting a thrust after Canada said it planned to purchase 18 as a stopgap measure while the government begins a five-year bidding process for new jets to modernise its fleet.

Defence minitser Harjit Sajjan stated, "The country will enter negotiations with Boeing to "immediately explore" the acquisition of the Jets, and a separate competition will be held to replace the country’s fleet of CF-18 Fighters, without giving a cost estimate for either project.

Canada’s fleet of CF-18s is down to 77 aircraft from 138 three decades ago and the country risks not being able to meet its global military commitments,added further by Mr Sajjan.

The announcement marks a retreat for the prime minister Justin Trudeau, who campaigned last year on abandoning Canada’s plans to buy Lockheed Martin’s F-35 jets. The company will instead now be able to bid. Meanwhile, Canada’s planned interim order bolsters Boeing’s St Louis manufacturing centre, where the company churns out Super Hornets and F-15 Fighter Jets.

"The interim fleet provides the most effective way forward to help ensure Canada remains a credible and dependable ally," he said. Headded that the country would continue its membership in Lockheed’s Joint Strike Fighter programme.

Saab’s Gripen, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, were earlier considered by Canada produced by a consortium including BAE Systems, Airbus and Alenia Aermacchi.

It is too early to estimate the cost of the Super Hornet Jets, said the public services and procurement minister Judy Foote.

"We have a sense of what the cost will be, but we have to enter into negotiations with Boeing," Ms Foote quoted. "I’m not going to prejudge the outcome of our discussions with Boeing. Clearly they have a plane that is of interest to us."

Boeing said it was "honoured" to supply Canada with "the only multi-role fighter aircraft that can fulfill its immediate needs for sovereign and North American defense".

While "disappointed" with Canada’s decision, Lockheed said it remains "confident the F-35 is the best solution to meet Canada’s operational requirements at the most affordable price".

"The F-35 is combat ready and available today to meet Canada’s needs for the next 40 years."