Quote:
Originally Posted by trueviking
totally agree....this government would never stray from being an american lap dog, but the forward thinking action would be to engage SAAB as a joint venture development of the next generation Gripen.
a SAAB/Bombardier tandem would be a great economic driver.....bring the technology to canada as a true partnership, instead of just buying it off the shelf from the americans....it would also send a message to the world that we not a military extension of the US, aligning ourselves with more neutral armed forces.
the swedes have similar military needs...remote bases, harsh climates, smaller budgets...it could be a perfect match to get a plane tailored to our needs with the economic spin off of it being a 'canadian' design....it could be the catalyst for an entire industry.
always loved the viggen.....
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While that would be great for industry (and I'm all for that, regardless of what aircraft we buy), the Gripen concerns me because of its single-engine and limited range.
In terms of contract-building fighter jets in Canada, only Dassault has so far been open in claiming they would have the Rafales (should we buy them) built almost entirely in Canada. It's also rumoured that either Boeing, BAE Systems, or Saab Aerospace have made a similar offer in private, but it is not confirmed by which of those three.
If it were up to me, I would have an open competition. This sees different groups attempt to make the best possible deal for them and for Canadian industry. Regardless of whichever plane is chosen (except the increasingly troubled F-35), I would encourage industry contracts on the side in the "spirit of friendship" so to speak, and would attempt to have Bombardier and others in Canada get involved with Saab and the next-generation of Gripen.
To keep this growth going, I would put a tender out to Canadian companies only for aircraft replacement, much the same as what we saw recently with shipping contracts.
Viking Air would get the contract to build newer and better Buffalo SAR aircraft. Even the proposed C-27J Spartan does not come close to what the Buffalo is still capable of.
Bombardier Aerospace would get a contract for Aurora replacements, along with new transport and surveillance aircraft in the form of modified C-Series jets, and Challenger Jets.
For a cheap jet trainer/low-intensity fighter/patrol jet, initiate production of the Venga TG-10.
This becomes a huge boon to the Canadian aviation industry, grows said industry and boosts the economy, and replaces aircraft in need of replacement.