Excellent article. The Gripen deal is a no brainer for Canada. For the life of me, I cannot understand nor comprehend why our top military leaders are so enamored with the F-35. given all that is taking place.
Canadian air force generals have,a chance to work for US military firms after they retire. And then start lobbying the Canaduan government for more contracts. Been that way forxa long time. No money to be made for them other than salary. It would be interesting to see how US military firms try to influence the top brass.
You are correct Fred, we need to be independent on how all of this is controlled. We don't need an orange ball taking a tantrum & rendering millions of dollars in fighter planes, useless, by the flick of a switch, or important data changes. We simply cannot trust that man.
This has been around the block a few times. I stated once before that we should buy F35s to meet our NORAD commitments and Gripens for our Canadian commitments. As I recall I was corrected when it was pointed out that we can meet NORAD requirements without F35s. My thinking was that the U.S. was less likely to sabotage hardware they worked with day to day for mutual protection.
The Gripen is much better suited for our Northern needs and for our sovereignty needs. This choice also offers commercial advantages. We are forming alliances with our Northern neighbors and strengthening relationships with our European allies confident that this aircraft meets our NATO needs as well.
I believe that the decision has already been made, just not announced. There are signs of movement with the Bombardier contracts and the discussion of a Rolls Royce engine line in Canada. I believe the announcement is being deferred until after CUSMA has been negotiated. Then the argument will turn to convincing the RCAF that this direction is in Canada's best interests!
Sovereignty demands independence from another country having the Kill switch. Plus the Saab deal will result in jobs and knowledge staying on country. It's a No Brainier!
It was my understanding that Canada was seriously looking at the Grippen, which I totally agree with, seems we have an issue though in that we contracted with the the US for the F35, that could not be easily backed away from. If we could, I would say, do it! Certainly don't increase any contracts with the US.
Great read as always. I wish there was a way we could get out of that F-35 deal for the data control reasons only. The Gripen is definitely a better plane for Canada. And to have the huge advantage of keeping our knowledge ours alone.
Just the thought that the US has any control over planes that our men and women fly is terrifying. And how does NATO look at this now? If Rump, as my wife calls him on her polite days, does bail on NATO does that change our perspective on anything?
Having a skilled workforce and a base for r&d with skilled development players will get us back in the game and prepare us for the 6 gen gripen. Technology is changing super fast and will only accelerate with ai. Todays planes will likely be obsolete in 15 years being replaced with gen 6 versions automated drone planes and more nimble pilotless attack drones. G forces not a limiting factor. So the Gripen is the only way to go. Follow it up with Arrow 2.
The US is no longer trustworthy. Trump and Republicans are enemies to NATO, Europe; have threatened Canada and Greenland; and are friendly towards Putin. I am a US citizen and I don’t trust them. Neither should Canada or any other functioning free society.
Canadians will have to decide for themselves but I would go with the Gripen if I was them. The US is a unreliable and untrustworthy economic and security partner.
Considering our vast national surface, our South-centered population, and frightening weather, and our histrionic record of aircraft design (the last fighter aircraft design having been dumped in a Great Lake, we need the strategic strength of the F-35, notwithstanding its poor operational readiness data.
We also need the Gripen for its high operational readiness, its ability to operate in challenging weather, its price, and its providing future national capability to participate in future fighter aircraft.
Excellent article. The Gripen deal is a no brainer for Canada. For the life of me, I cannot understand nor comprehend why our top military leaders are so enamored with the F-35. given all that is taking place.
I get why they lean F-35 Ron... it’s proven and deeply integrated with allies.
But that same integration is exactly where the long-term risk sits.
Canadian air force generals have,a chance to work for US military firms after they retire. And then start lobbying the Canaduan government for more contracts. Been that way forxa long time. No money to be made for them other than salary. It would be interesting to see how US military firms try to influence the top brass.
I hadn't thought along that line. Thanks.
You are correct Fred, we need to be independent on how all of this is controlled. We don't need an orange ball taking a tantrum & rendering millions of dollars in fighter planes, useless, by the flick of a switch, or important data changes. We simply cannot trust that man.
We can still work with allies... just not in a way that puts core control out of our hands.
Exactly!!! Thanks eh? haha
🇨🇦And we will continue to do so as long as the allies remain reliable🇨🇦
This has been around the block a few times. I stated once before that we should buy F35s to meet our NORAD commitments and Gripens for our Canadian commitments. As I recall I was corrected when it was pointed out that we can meet NORAD requirements without F35s. My thinking was that the U.S. was less likely to sabotage hardware they worked with day to day for mutual protection.
The Gripen is much better suited for our Northern needs and for our sovereignty needs. This choice also offers commercial advantages. We are forming alliances with our Northern neighbors and strengthening relationships with our European allies confident that this aircraft meets our NATO needs as well.
I believe that the decision has already been made, just not announced. There are signs of movement with the Bombardier contracts and the discussion of a Rolls Royce engine line in Canada. I believe the announcement is being deferred until after CUSMA has been negotiated. Then the argument will turn to convincing the RCAF that this direction is in Canada's best interests!
Good read on it Jim.
Governments rarely announce first... they position first.
When the supply chain starts shifting, the outcome is usually already decided.
Hope so Jim
This is a great article and I still believe Canada should only buy the required number of f-35 and the rest Gripen
Exactly. Fulfill what we’ve already committed to…
then build the rest around our own needs.
Agreed. I'd also say I hope the decision is made soon.
Yes .. it has been on the table a long time .. sigh ..
Sovereignty demands independence from another country having the Kill switch. Plus the Saab deal will result in jobs and knowledge staying on country. It's a No Brainier!
And that’s the overlooked part... jobs, skills, and infrastructure staying in Canada
isn’t a bonus… it’s the strategy.
It was my understanding that Canada was seriously looking at the Grippen, which I totally agree with, seems we have an issue though in that we contracted with the the US for the F35, that could not be easily backed away from. If we could, I would say, do it! Certainly don't increase any contracts with the US.
We’re already on the hook for some.
The question is whether we double down… or diversify.
Love the analysis. Thank you🇨🇦
Appreciate it, Dean... decisions like this shape more than just defense.
Hey Fred,
Great read as always. I wish there was a way we could get out of that F-35 deal for the data control reasons only. The Gripen is definitely a better plane for Canada. And to have the huge advantage of keeping our knowledge ours alone.
Just the thought that the US has any control over planes that our men and women fly is terrifying. And how does NATO look at this now? If Rump, as my wife calls him on her polite days, does bail on NATO does that change our perspective on anything?
You’re asking the right questions Shelagh.
The current F-35 commitment is hard to unwind, but what comes next is still in Canada’s control.
And yes... if NATO dynamics shift, it absolutely changes how countries think about dependence vs independence.
Having a skilled workforce and a base for r&d with skilled development players will get us back in the game and prepare us for the 6 gen gripen. Technology is changing super fast and will only accelerate with ai. Todays planes will likely be obsolete in 15 years being replaced with gen 6 versions automated drone planes and more nimble pilotless attack drones. G forces not a limiting factor. So the Gripen is the only way to go. Follow it up with Arrow 2.
Exactly... the platform matters, but the ecosystem matters more.
Skills, R&D, and control are what carry forward into whatever comes next.
Even when Trump is gone, I do think it will be before 28’, he’s not operating alone, the trust is gone. No way to US control.
The US is no longer trustworthy. Trump and Republicans are enemies to NATO, Europe; have threatened Canada and Greenland; and are friendly towards Putin. I am a US citizen and I don’t trust them. Neither should Canada or any other functioning free society.
Canadians will have to decide for themselves but I would go with the Gripen if I was them. The US is a unreliable and untrustworthy economic and security partner.
Considering our vast national surface, our South-centered population, and frightening weather, and our histrionic record of aircraft design (the last fighter aircraft design having been dumped in a Great Lake, we need the strategic strength of the F-35, notwithstanding its poor operational readiness data.
We also need the Gripen for its high operational readiness, its ability to operate in challenging weather, its price, and its providing future national capability to participate in future fighter aircraft.